Pouilly-Fuissé
Encyclopedia
Pouilly-Fuissé is an appellation
(AOC) for white wine in the Mâconnais
subregion Burgundy
in central France
, located in the communes of Fuissé
, Solutré-Pouilly
, Vergisson
and Chaintré
. Pouilly-Fuissé has Chardonnay
as the only grape variety.
While Pouilly-Fuissé is the best-known part of Mâconnais, there are no Premier Cru vineyards within the AOC, as the local growers at the time the regulations were being drawn up never applied for this. The AOC was created on 11 September 1936. The area used to be known simply as "Pouilly", but when the AOC laws were introduced, it was split into three: Pouilly-Fuissé, Pouilly-Loché and Pouilly-Vinzelles.
Despite the lack of official classification within the AOC, some climat
s within Pouilly-Fuissé have better reputations than others.
made from Chardonnay. It is pale and refreshing, often quite delicate, and often shows a clear oak influence. On average these wines sell for much less than the white wines of Côte de Beaune
to the north.
the land rises up to form Mont de Pouilly and other limestone hills, covered in the alkaline clay that best suits Chardonnay. The villages of Vergisson, Solutré-Pouilly, Fuissé and Chaintré shelter at their feet.
Georges Duboeuf
of the Beaujolais wine region grew up on a small vineyard in the region.
-based wines of Pouilly-Fumé
and the Chasselas
-based Pouilly-sur-Loire
, both from the area around Pouilly-sur-Loire in the Loire Valley
.
Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
Appellation d’origine contrôlée , which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters, and other agricultural products, all under the auspices of the government bureau Institut National...
(AOC) for white wine in the Mâconnais
Mâconnais
The Mâconnais district lies in the south of the Burgundy wine region in France, west of the River Saône. It takes its name from the town of Mâcon. It is best known as a source of good value white wines made from the Chardonnay grape; the wines from Pouilly-Fuissé are particularly sought-after....
subregion Burgundy
Burgundy wine
Burgundy wine is wine made in the Burgundy region in eastern France, in the valleys and slopes west of the Saône River, a tributary of the Rhône. The most famous wines produced here - those commonly referred to as "Burgundies" - are red wines made from Pinot Noir grapes or white wines made from...
in central France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, located in the communes of Fuissé
Fuissé
Fuissé is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France.-Wine:Vineyards of Fuissé are part of the appellation d'origine contrôlée Pouilly-Fuissé, which is used for white wines from Chardonnay grapes....
, Solutré-Pouilly
Solutré-Pouilly
Solutré-Pouilly is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France. It is known for a local geological feature, the Rock of Solutré.-Wine:...
, Vergisson
Vergisson
Vergisson is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France.-Wine:The vineyards of Vergisson form part of the appellation d'origine contrôlée Pouilly-Fuissé.-References:*...
and Chaintré
Chaintré
Chaintré is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France.-Wine:The vineyards of Chaintré form part of the appellation d'origine contrôlée Pouilly-Fuissé.-References:*...
. Pouilly-Fuissé has Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
as the only grape variety.
While Pouilly-Fuissé is the best-known part of Mâconnais, there are no Premier Cru vineyards within the AOC, as the local growers at the time the regulations were being drawn up never applied for this. The AOC was created on 11 September 1936. The area used to be known simply as "Pouilly", but when the AOC laws were introduced, it was split into three: Pouilly-Fuissé, Pouilly-Loché and Pouilly-Vinzelles.
Despite the lack of official classification within the AOC, some climat
CLIMAT
CLIMAT is a code for reporting monthly climatological data assembled at land-based meteorological surface observation sites to data centres. CLIMAT-coded messages contain information on several meteorological variables that are important to monitor characteristics, changes, and variability of climate...
s within Pouilly-Fuissé have better reputations than others.
Style
Pouilly-Fuissé is a dry white wineWine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
made from Chardonnay. It is pale and refreshing, often quite delicate, and often shows a clear oak influence. On average these wines sell for much less than the white wines of Côte de Beaune
Côte de Beaune
The Côte de Beaune area is the southern part of the Côte d'Or, the limestone ridge that is home to the great names of Burgundy wine. The Côte de Beaune starts between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaune, and extends southwards for about 25 km to the River Dheune...
to the north.
Geography
West of MâconMâcon
Mâcon is a small city in central France. It is prefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department, in the region of Bourgogne, and the capital of the Mâconnais district. Mâcon is home to over 35,000 residents, called Mâconnais.-Geography:...
the land rises up to form Mont de Pouilly and other limestone hills, covered in the alkaline clay that best suits Chardonnay. The villages of Vergisson, Solutré-Pouilly, Fuissé and Chaintré shelter at their feet.
Production
In 2008, 757.2 hectares (1,871.1 acre) of vineyard surface was in production within the Pouilly-Fuissé AOC, and 39,147 hectoliter of wine was produced, corresponding to 5.2 million bottles of wine.AOC regulations
The AOC regulations only allow Chardonnay to be used. The allowed base yield is 50 hectoliter per hectare and the grapes must reach a maturity of at least 11.0 per cent potential alcohol.Notable residents
The négociantNégociant
A négociant is the French term for a wine merchant who assembles the produce of smaller growers and winemakers and sells the result under its own name....
Georges Duboeuf
Georges Duboeuf
Georges Duboeuf is the founder of Les Vins Georges Duboeuf, one of the largest and best-known wine merchants in France...
of the Beaujolais wine region grew up on a small vineyard in the region.
Other "Pouilly" wines
The wines of Pouilly-Fuissé should not be confused with the Sauvignon BlancSauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French word sauvage and blanc due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France., a possible descendant of savagnin...
-based wines of Pouilly-Fumé
Pouilly-Fumé
Pouilly-Fumé is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée for dry white wine from the Loire Valley wine-producing region of France. Pouilly-Fumé is made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. It is characterized by smoky flavors and minerality. The vineyards are located in the communes...
and the Chasselas
Chasselas
Chasselas or Chasselas Blanc is a wine grape variety grown in Switzerland, France, Germany, Portugal, Baja Norte, Mexico, Hungary and New Zealand.Theories of its origin vary. Pierre Galet believes it is a native Swiss variety....
-based Pouilly-sur-Loire
Pouilly-sur-Loire
Pouilly-sur-Loire is a commune in the Nièvre department in central France.Pouilly-sur-Loire is a picturesque town famous for the white wine known as Pouilly-Fumé. There are numerous domaines that the wine tourist can visit and where he can sample the wines produced by that domaine. Two of those...
, both from the area around Pouilly-sur-Loire in the Loire Valley
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley , spanning , is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. Its area comprises approximately . It is referred to as the Cradle of the French Language, and the Garden of France due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards, and artichoke, asparagus, and...
.
See also
- New York Wine Tasting of 1973New York Wine Tasting of 1973The New York Wine Tasting of 1973 was organized by pioneering alcohol journalist Robert Lawrence Balzer. He assembled 14 leading wine experts including France’s Alexis Lichine, who owned two Chateaux in Bordeaux, a manager of the Four Seasons restaurant in New York City, and Sam Aaron, a prominent...
- a 1971 Pouilly-Fuissé from Louis JadotLouis JadotMaison Louis Jadot is a wine company that produces and markets Burgundy wine. Louis Jadot operates both their own vineyards and has a négociant business...
was included.