Grapes: Aligote
Region: Burgundy, France
Vintage: 2023
Viticulture: Organic + Biodynamic
Soils: Rich Clay /
Soils worked 100% by horse.
Vinification:
Very slow pressing in a vertical press, giving texture to the wine, then aged in two ten hectolitre oak tuns. Rounded, elegant, with a lovely texture, this is a delicious example of how good Aligoté can be.
Aging: Minimum 12 months in old barrels
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: None added
Notes from the Importer:
François Grangé has spent 15 years working at the local biodynamic estate Chandon de Brialles, whilst in the latter years of that journey starting his own small family mangalitza pig farm, where he lives. The huge chateau near his home had recently been bought and he invited his new neighbours for aperitif where he learnt that the rental of the 6 hectares of vines that came with the chateau was coming to an and and they were looking for a new steward. They offered it to Francois that night.
As soon as he took over the six hectares he started converting to organics, this was 2021. In 2022 he sold all of the grapes, just making a few experimental vinifications for himself. 2023 ius his first proper vintage. For 4.5 hectares, the vines are plowed by horse. In addition to organic treatment, they use skimmed milk to fight against powdery mildew instead of sulfur in the vines.
The soil is mainly clay, with very little limestone, some plots have a little sand. They use plant cover, to increase the microbiology of the soils. For example fava is planted to help with nitrogen levels. The project is well planned and already very impressive, the sopils already looking incredibly healthy from the hard work of the horses and the humans.
Blessed with some beautiful soils planted with Aligote, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay & a tiny plot of Pinot Blanc there is a lot of beautiful wine being created here and bright future ahead. The vinification, aging and bottling of the 2023 wines are completely without inputs.
