The Aligote on the Vergy hill – LE CHÊNE DU COURT

One of the most tranquille and beautiful places in Burgundy is the legendary hill in Curtil-Vergy where one find the reminders of the once so influential Abbaye de Saint-Vivant de Vergy.

The Abbaye de Saint-Vivant de Vergy was a dominant factor in Burgundy before the French revolution, and while the Abbaye located over the village of Curtil-Vergy was destroyed just after the revolution, it is gradually being rebuild, thanks to Aubert de Villaine and the Association l’abbaye de Saint-Vivant.

This is truly a historic place in Burgundy, and with the UNESCO world heritage status of the Bourgundian vineyards, this place plays an even bigger role today – as a symbol and landmark for the vineyards and the history related to centuries of winemaking developing the Burgundy we know today.

The Abbaye de Saint Vivant is located on a hill high above the vineyards of Côte de Nuits on a big hill overlooking the Vergy area – and just above the small village of Curtil-Vergy.

Most of the hill is covered by forest, but there are also some vineyards just next to the Abbaye de Saint-Vivant – one is a planted with Chardonnay and owned by l’Association l’abbaye de Saint-Vivant, and one planted with Aligote – owned by Domaine Bertrand et Axelle Machard de Gramont.

The Aligote vineyard is vinified by the fair Axelle Machard de Gramont, and this vineyard is a stunningly beautiful and peaceful place overlooking the gorgeous landscape of Hautes Côte de Nuits.

I have taken a closer look at this vineyard located just behind the Abbaye buildings that are being restored.

Locating l’Abbaye de Saint-Vivant de Vergy

l’Abbaye de Saint-Vivant is located above Curtil-Vergy as small village west of the Vosne-Romanée appellation – see map below.

Taking a closer look at the hill

The hill is quite steep and a small road leads to the Abbaye. The estate winery of Domaine Bertrand et Axelle Machard de Gramont is located just below the hill outside of Curtil-Vergy.

The road leads up to the Abbaye buildings that are being restored with a large lawn overlooking Curtil-Vergy and the area south of the village – see map below.

This is indeed a beautiful place where one really feel the presense of history.

Axelle Machard de Gramont in front of l’Abbaye de Saint-Vivant

LE CHÊNE DU COURT – The aligote on the hill

The Aligote vineyard of Domaine Bertrand et Axelle Machard de Gramont is located behind the buildings of l’Abbaye de Saint-Vivant – facing partly West.

It’s a 0.60 ha vineyard located in a 1.265 ha cadastre plot (no 99). The vineyard is planted North/South and it produce a lovely cool aligote.

Axelle Machard de Gramont in front of the Aligote vineyard

The altitude of the vineyard is 500 meters i.e. Approximately 200-300 meters higher than the vineyards in Cote de Nuits, hence the temperature in this area is considerably lower – about two celsius lower on average.

The vineyard was acquired by the father of Axelle – Bertrand Machard de Gramont 20 years ago – and the vines here are producing a pure, vibrant and cool aligote.

I must say I really admire Bertrand de Machard de Gramont for developing this and the terraces above Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Vallerots – some very interesting terroirs created with a fine vision and hard work.

Two cuvées are made of the Aligote – one is the l’Orange de Vergy a low SO2 cuvée and the regular Bourgogne Aligote Both are delightful wines – highly recommended.

This is a good place for Aligote and meditation …

It should be noted that the estate is certified Organic even after the horrible conditions in 2016 …. chapeau Axelle.

The wines of Domaine Bertrand et Axelle Machard de Gramont are delightfully detailed and pure, and have a quite unique style expressing the fine terroirs they have. These wines come highly recommended.