Wine Variety: Aligoté is a very widely-planted white grape variety common to Burgundy (where it makes the "other" white wine of the region and is a key, traditional constituent of kir). The variety now has its own appellation in Burgundy: Aligoté de Bouzeron. It is however is also grown in eastern Europe, including Russia. Aligoté is part of the Pinot family of grapes and there is a clone grown in Burgundy called Aligoté dorée (i.e. golden Aligoté), which is considered to make wines of higher quality. When the vines are old and planted on favourable sites, Aligoté is capable of producing wines of good, even very good, quality.

Wine Region: Burgundy: to many the beating heart of all that is fine in wine. Located in east-central France and boasting a fully continental climate (very cold winters; hot summers), the vineyards of the Côte d'Or were mapped out largely by monks over the centuries. Dominant (almost to the extent of exclusivity) varieties here are Chardonnay for the whites and Pinot Noir for the reds. 

Wine Producer: The Château de Chamilly was built in the 17th century by Noël Bouton, who was lieutenant general to Louis XIV. The Desfontaine family bought the property and surrounding land at the beginning of the 19th century and are engaged in a constant project of restoration of the château. The property, in the north of the Côtes Chalonnaises just 20 minute south of Beaune, is now run by borthers Xavier and Arnaud Desfontaine.