Gouffier owns five and a half hectares of vineyard in the villages of Fontaines and Mercurey in Côte Chalonnaise. Historically it was run by the Gouffier family for generations until Jerome Gouffier handed over the reins to his close friend Frédéric Gueugneau, formerly at La Chablisienne. Since 2011, Frédéric and oenologist Benoît Pagot have brought about a new style of winemaking. They follow an organic philosophy to create wines that are modern and approachable, but with all the style and panache of good Burgundy. They have created a collection of wines of outstanding originality, verve and spirit.
The vineyard has been sustainably farmed since 2011, with ploughing replacing weed-killers and copper and sulphur treatments used only when required. The vines are carefully managed between the spring and summer months to ensure optimal conditions for healthy, mature grapes at harvest time; with pruning, strict debudding and leaf thinning being undertaken by hand to reduce the yields. The vineyard is currently in conversion to organic status.
The Aligoté grapes were hand-harvested once they had achieved optimum maturity and were carefully selected. Fermentation took place with selected yeast in old French oak at 20°C. The wine was matured on the lees for 12 months in 228 and 450 litre barrels, with malolactic conversion taking place in the spring. Working in partnership with their cooper, since the 2013 vintage Gouffier has been experimenting with using oak from the state forests of Fontaine, just a few miles from the vines, endeavouring to stay true to the local terroir.
The Par Gouffier Aligoté is a charmingly crisp and refreshing wine with vibrant citrus fruit complemented by a mouthwatering saline note. Beautifully textured, with great purity of fruit and delicate oak spice through to a long, cleansing finish.