Wine of the month: Pouilly-Fuissé
Warmer weather means white wine. I don't make the rules.
Spring is on the mind. There have been teasers of warm days in New York, followed by hail and snow, but you know what? At least there aren’t three-foot giant blocks of ice on street corners and slippery sidewalks that cause you to slip not once, not twice, but three times this winter. A nightmare.
Anyways, it’s spring. And with that, I wanted to take a trip back down memory lane. Specifically to southern France, which is where I was last Spring as I gallivanted and drank some of the best wine I’ve ever had. I knew this trip would be on my mind when I chose the wine for March, and I am determined to make you fall in love with it, too.
What region is this wine from?
Ah, you see, this month I’m taking you to Burgundy.
Not to get confused with Pouilly-Fumé, which is from the Loire Valley (and is a delightful expression of Sauvignon Blanc), this particular appellation is coming from Mâconnais, which is the southern bit of Burgundy.
Typically when people discuss wines from Burgundy (particularly the super expensive ones), they mean the wines coming from the Côte d’Or, which means “golden slope.” This spans from Côte de Nuits (known for their reds) and Côte de Beaune (known mostly for whites, but also has some great reds).
Mâconnais, however, is white wine country. While you can get some red wine from this region, typically producers of the area are making red wine through the Beaujolais appellations just south of the region. Gamay is the main red grape in that area, and producers will have plots in the ten of the Grand Crus of Beaujolais. Which makes traveling through this region particularly enjoyable.
If you want to read a little bit about my journey through Mâconnais and Beaujolais last year…here you go!
What grapes are in Pouilly-Fuissé?
This wine is (omg) Chardonnay.
Chardonnay is the dominant white grape in Burgundy, followed by that sneaky little underdog Aligoté.
Burgundy Chardonnay is known to have serious oak influence. Typically a touch more elegant then the butter-movie-theater-popcorn-style you get from Napa, Chardonnay from Burgundy feels toasted and refined, with delicate notes of vanilla and butter, but still a powerful amount of acidity, body, and alcohol. They are kind of a wonder of the world, in my opinion.
But, what makes this particular part of Burgundy special is that Pouilly-Fuissé is typically not oaked. Most producers in the Mâconnais are sick of oak influence and want their wines to speak for themselves, a true expression of the terroir. Instead of vanilla or butter, these wines still have body but notes of honeysuckle, melon, some stone fruit, maybe even hints of jalapeño.
The climate in Mâconnais is much warmer compared to the rest of Burgundy, so these wines are fruitier in nature compared to your Chardonnay in the Côte d’Or, or the smoky, elusive Chablis up north. They are a true expression of the climate of Southern Burgundy, with winemakers that are proud to have their bottles stand out from the usual stereotypes of the region.
What to pair with Pouilly-Fuissé
Honestly, I find this wine to be perfect for your appetizers and snacks. It’s your Spring picnic wine. One of my favorite pairings is melons wrapped in prosciutto. I know that snack is more of an Italian thing, but I do find that the melon compliments the notes in the wine, and the prosciutto is the counter to it. Salty and fatty to a fruity, acidic wine. It’s a little party in your mouth.
I also really love this type of Chardonnay with roasted chicken. Since Easter is around the corner (if you celebrate) and you’re thinking about what wine to grab for your brunch or lunch—and what to make—I would say this could be a great pairing. Add some Lyonnaise potatoes to really get steeped into the Burgundy culture, and you have yourself a winning meal.
What wine did I snag? Plus, order your own!
I snagged a bottle of Domaine Mathias Pouilly-Fuissé Vielles Vignes 2022 at Astor Wines. “Vielles Vignes” means old vines, which are heralded in winemaking. While older vines produce a lower yield, the grapes tend to have more complexity and a higher concentration of flavor, making the wine all the more interesting. What’s even more intriguing about this one? It did have some oak influence, so I’m curious to see what this wine is like compared to what is usually offered in the region. You can snag the same bottle here!
Louis Latour Pouilly-Fuisse 2023, $35.97 — An iconic producer in Burgundy with a number of Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte d’Or, this is a great price for a wine from one of the best of the best. Buy here!
Or, if you really want to ball out, get the Premier Cru for $57.97 Buy here!
Domaine Cheveau Pouilly-Fuisse Les Vignes du Hameau 2023, $39.99 — We had this one at the shop I worked at last summer, and it’s a pretty good one. Buy here!
R. Dutoit Pouilly-Fuisse Les Vieilles Vignes 2024, $26.97 — If you’re looking for something with a little more value and tastes a little fresher/younger, this is for you. Buy here!
You can also find a number of selections pretty easily at Total Wine.
Share what you think!
What did you think of the wine of the month? Which wine did you grab? Did you pair it with something? And the better question…would you order or buy this wine again?
Share your thoughts, I would love to hear from you!
Love reading your cellar notes!
Pouilly-Fuisse has been a favourite white wine for me since the 80s when first tried it. 😊 Love it! ❤️