AMI Bourgogne Aligoté Skin 2023

Maison AMI was founded in 2014 by Paul Marchand-Perarnau, a sommelier, and Willy Roulendes, a winemaker, two childhood friends working in the Maranges valley at the southern end of Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. This wine is a skin-contact version of Aligoté, Burgundy's other white grape, bottled under the Bourgogne Aligoté appellation. Aligoté is naturally high in acidity and lighter in body than Chardonnay, which keeps this orange wine fresh and zesty rather than heavy. The grapes are fermented on their skins to add texture, a deeper colour and a light phenolic grip, but without long oxidative ageing the fruit and acidity stay to the fore. Burgundy's limestone and clay soils give the wine its minerality and cut, and biodynamic, natural farming with native yeasts keeps it clean and expressive. Look for a pale amber colour and a lively nose of green apple, lemon and citrus peel lifted by white flowers. The palate is dry, crisp and lightly textured, with bright acidity, a touch of apricot and almond, and a fresh, mineral finish. The style is energetic and food-friendly. Serve well chilled at around 10 to 12 degrees. It suits white fish, shellfish and green salads.