INSIDER'S PICK: 2022 GIRAUDON VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE ALIGOTE $17.99

99% of the time when you see a white wine coming from Burgundy, it will be featuring the Chardonnay grape. Aligote is the most noteworthy exception (with the rare Pinot Blanc occasionally popping up), though it is more famously used with blackberry liqueur to make kir. The grape is growing back in popularity in Burgundy and other parts of the world as more consumers look for lower alcohol wines. It never makes a wine that achieves the heights of Chardonnay, but in the right hands and in the right places can make some very satisfying and value oriented wine. One very popular area is around the town of Chitry, located  just South of the A6 highway from Chablis. The similar climate and chalky soils brings out the racy side of Aligote, while the less noble reputation of the vineyards helps keep the pricing more manageable. Bright lemon zest and white melon fruit on the nose, cool and quiet at first but gets fuller and more juicy as it opens up as many cooler climate and higher acidity whites tend to do. The palate has a rounder feel than many Aligote thanks to it going through malolactic fermentation, but doesn't develop any buttery tones, just texture that fills out the fruit and softens the tart citrus at the finish. A great quenching wine for warmer weather and lighter seafood dishes.

---