📜 Bouzeron

Bouzeron is a French protected designation of origin (AOC, PDO) reserved for still white wines. It was first recognised by a decree of 17 February 1998, and the EU register lists it from 15 November 1996.

The wines are made from a single variety, Aligoté. The specification calls Bouzeron the only communal appellation in Burgundy made from this variety.

Grapes are harvested and the wines made, developed and matured in two communes of the Saône-et-Loire department: Bouzeron and Chassey-le-Camp. The vines must lie within the delimited parcel area approved by the national institute (INAO) on 10 September 1997.

The yield is 65 hectolitres per hectare, with a maximum yield ceiling (rendement butoir) of 69 hl/ha. Grapes must reach at least 161 grams of sugar per litre of must, giving a minimum natural alcoholic strength of 10% vol. After enrichment, wines may not exceed 12.5% vol total. Wood chips are forbidden and irrigation is prohibited.

The minimum planting density is 8,000 vines per hectare, and the maximum average load per plot is 11,000 kilograms per hectare.

The wines are matured at least until 15 January of the year after the harvest and are marketed to consumers from 1 February. In 2010 the specification reports 43 hectares in production and an average harvest of 2,600 hectolitres.