Pouilly-Fuissé wine
Full-bodied Burgundy wines: It is no longer a secret that fantastic white wines also come from the Mâconnais region in Burgundy. Above all, from the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation, which makes the hearts of wine lovers beat faster with its expressive Chardonnays.
The best wines from Pouilly-Fuissé
It is no longer a secret that fantastic white wines also come from the Mâconnais region in Burgundy. Above all, from the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation, which makes the hearts of wine lovers beat faster with its expressive Chardonnays.
Where does a Pouilly-Fuissé wine come from?
If you are thinking of the Loire right now, please look a little further east. Namely to Burgundy. The Loire Valley is home to the Pouilly-Fumé appellation. Burgundy, meanwhile, is home to the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation. Due to the similarity of the names, confusion can quickly arise.
But back to Pouilly-Fuissé. The appellation is located in an enclave in southern Mâconnais. The vineyard covers a total of 760 hectares, spread across the four communes of Chaintré, Fuissé, Solutré-Pouilly and Vergisson.
What are the climate and soils like in Pouilly-Fuissé?
In southern Burgundy, the climate is temperate continental. The short summers are usually quite sunny, allowing the grapes to ripen very well. In the Mâconnais, the Monts-du-Mâconnais mountain range protects against heavy rainfall and hail, from which the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation also benefits greatly.
The vines usually thrive on south-facing slopes. The roots dig deep into the soil, which is composed of limestone and marl. The special feature of Pouilly-Fuissé is a limestone plateau that ends at the cliffs of Solutré and Vergisson. According to a widespread myth, the soil under the rocks was enriched by the remains of animals driven off the top of the cliff by Stone Age hunters.
Grapes in wines from Pouilly-Fuissé
Although the limestone soil is also ideal for Pinot Noir, the only authorised grape variety for a Pouilly-Fuissé is the white Chardonnay. To give the wines more body and fullness, they are usually aged in wooden barrels. It is also not uncommon for the wine to be aged on the fine lees for a longer period of time, which is regularly stirred. This technique is called bâtonnage. It ensures a beautiful mellowness and a delicate creaminess in the white wines of Pouilly-Fuissé. Which brings us seamlessly to the taste itself.
What does a Pouilly-Fuissé wine taste like?
The Chardonnay wines from Pouilly-Fuissé are considered to be particularly full-bodied and yet very elegant. They have an impressively deep aromatic structure. The most full-bodied wines are said to come from Fuissé and Solutré-Pouilly, while the wines from Vergisson are fresher and more mineral, coming from higher-lying vineyards.
What unites all the wines is that they are excellent at maturing. That is why we recommend decanting young white wines from Pouilly-Fuissé for a few hours before serving so that the wine can reach its full potential. Well-known and esteemed producers include Domaine Dominique Cornin, Daniel Barraud, Domaine Ferret, Château de Fuissé and Guffens-Heynen.
Are there any crus in Pouilly-Fuissé?
Of course, the taste of a Pouilly-Fuissé also depends very much on its origin. In other words, the vineyard from which it comes. To come straight to the point: there is no Grand Cru in the appellation. However, in 2022 a total of 22 Premiers Crus were designated, including Clos du Roy, Les Chevrières, Les Plessys and Les Clos, which are among the best.
Wine producers
What food goes well with a Pouilly-Fuissé?
The luscious Chardonnay wines from Pouilly-Fuissé go wonderfully with rich sauces such as Bernaise or Hollandaise. Especially when these are served with poultry. Veal also goes well with a Pouilly-Fuissé, as do mature cheeses.
Or simply enjoy the wine as a soloist without any food accompaniment. Incidentally, it is also worthwhile to taste different Premiers Crus or vintages to fully internalise the flavour profile of Pouilly-Fuissé. You will find a carefully curated selection of wines in the Best of Wines shop. Let yourself be inspired by the wines from Pouilly-Fuissé!