All you need to know about Pouilly-Fumé wines: Wine guide

? The Pouilly-Fumé appellation is known the world over for the quality of its Sauvignon grapes. The appellation has existed since 1937 and is located in the commune of Nièvre.
Winemakers in the Pouilly-Fumé appellation can only produce white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc (also known as Blanc Fumé*), a grape that brings fruitiness and minerality to the finest terroirs. No fewer than 1,400 hectares of vines are planted. A total of 88 estates share the 10 million bottles sold each year.
*There are two explanations for why Sauvignon Blanc grapes are called "smoky". The first concerns the gray plum that creates the illusion of a smoky veil around the grape when it reaches maturity. The second lies in the flinty aromas released by Sauvignon when grown on exceptional terroirs.

> Discover our beautiful Pouilly-Fumé estates

 

What's the difference between Pouilly-Fumé, Pouilly-sur-Loire and Pouilly-Fuissé (Loché, Vinzelles)?

? The difference between these three Pouillys lies in two things: their place of production, and therefore their terroir, and their grape variety.
About the appellation Pouilly-Fuméyou must be at 100 % on the Sauvignon. Grapes that give fresh wines with citrus notes and, on fine terroirs, a beautiful minerality.
For the Pouilly-sur-Loirethis time the grapes are from Chasselas. This variety gives the wine more floral notes and a touch of fruitiness, slightly more exotic than Sauvignon.
On the other three Pouilly, Fuissé, Locher and Vinzelles, this time to Burgundy with the grape Chardonnay. In this part of Burgundy, this grape produces highly aromatic wines with white fruit aromas, as well as an interesting freshness in Pouilly classified as Premier Cru.

 

How to drink Pouilly-Fumé

? Sauvignon-based white wines should be drunk at a cool temperature. If you wish to drink your Pouilly-Fumé as an aperitif or with starters, opt for a temperature between 8 and 10 degrees. This allows you to drink a fresh wine without overpowering the aromas. C20 wines don't need to be opened before drinking, they can be drunk immediately.
If you wish to drink a Pouilly-Fumé with a dish or fish in sauce, keep the temperature between 10 and 12 degrees, as this time the aromas will develop a little more, while retaining a certain freshness. For more elaborate Pouilly wines, it may be a good idea to open them up or decant them an hour beforehand.

 

What to drink Pouilly-Fumé with?

? Your choice of dish will depend on the Pouilly-Fumé you've selected. There may be a difference in taste and style depending on the terroir.
If you decide to go for a relatively straightforward Pouilly-Fumé, it will go very well with seafood, shellfish or oysters. Its freshness and citrus notes will enhance the iodized style of the dish. It also goes very well with goat's milk cheeses.
If you're going for a more elaborate Pouilly-Fumé, you might as well go for fine fish such as scallops, sole or even white-fleshed poultry accompanied by a creamy mushroom sauce.

 

How much should you pay for a Pouilly-Fumé?

? There's really something for every budget in the Pouilly-Fumé appellation. As mentioned above, the simpler Pouilly-Fumé wines can be found for around €10. These are wines with varied aromas, freshness and lovely fruit. If you want to go for a more elaborate Pouilly-Fumé, you'll need to spend at least €20. This generally means that it's from a fine terroir and will offer mineral, flinty aromas, complemented by lovely fruit. 

 

 

Read more :