All About Pouilly-Fuissé

Perfectly representing the winemaking excellence of Burgundy, the Pouilly-Fuissé AOC is recognised throughout the world thanks to its exceptional wines. This appellation is produced in the Mâconnais wine region, in the department of Saône-et-Loire. Cultivated by more than 200 passionate and talented producers, the vineyard is located on a narrow strip of land covering approximately 760 hectares. The breeding area covers the communes of Fuissé, Solutré-Pouilly, Vergisson and Chaintré.

Approximately 20,000 years ago, viticulture, one of the most advanced prehistoric cultures, flourished on the famous rocks of Solutré and Vergisson, emblematic of the Pouilly-Fuissé vineyard. However, the wine-growing history of this appellation did not really begin until the Middle Ages, thanks to the wine trade via the Saône. At that time, the Abbey of Cluny, which owned plots of vines, contributed greatly to the development of wine production in the region. For several centuries, the vineyards of Pouilly-Fuissé were planted mainly with Gamay. Following the phylloxera invasion towards the end of the 19th century, which caused the destruction of almost all French vineyards, the plots were replanted with Chardonnay. In response to the fraudulent use of the appellation name, but also to preserve the uniqueness of the wines, the court of Mâcon defined the geographical area of the vineyard in 1922. In 1929, the mayors of the four communes of the appellation created the Union des Producteurs de Pouilly-Fuissé to protect the AOC. This commitment led to the recognition of the Pouilly-Fuissé AOC by the INAO in 1936. Since then, the Union des Producteurs has continued to defend and promote the wines of the appellation, particularly through the Atrium. This is a place dedicated to the discovery and tasting of Pouilly-Fuissé AOC wines.

The Pouilly-Fuissé vineyard is located at an altitude of between 200 and 300 metres in the heart of the Grand Site de France Solutré Pouilly Vergisson. The terroir anchored in the strip of land where the wines of the appellation are born is characterised by its mosaic of soils, subject to an oceanic climate with southern influences. These influences moderate rainfall and temperatures.

The vineyards of Pouilly-Fuissé occupy the foot and the slopes of the rocks of Solutré and Vergisson. These limestone rocks contribute greatly to shaping the terroir of Pouilly-Fuissé by deeply marking its substrate. The vineyards of this appellation are based on a wide variety of soils, giving rise to wines with varied aromas:

1. To the north: the village of Vergisson is divided into two geological families: the granite and sandstone-rich soils to the west of the vineyard and the limestone-rich soils at the foot of the Vergisson rock. These limestone soils extend to the foot of the Solutré rock and to the village.
2. In the commune of Fuissé: the Beauregard plateau and part of the village are composed of limestone soil and subsoil. The east of the village is built on granite soil.
3. To the south: the vineyard in the commune of Chaintré is located on a hillside with clay-limestone soils, which are deeper than on the plain.

Often compared to Chablis wines, some Pouilly-Fuissé wines enjoy Premier Cru classification. Indeed, 22 climats representing nearly 200 hectares and spread over the four villages in the appellation's production area became Premiers Crus in 2020.

The Pouilly-Fuissé AOC produces exclusively white wines. And as this vineyard is located in Burgundy, these nectars are naturally made using Chardonnay grapes only. The soils and the climate of this vineyard offer this grape variety of Burgundian origin the ideal conditions to fully express its aromas.

Thanks to its complex flavours, Pouilly-Fuissé is suitable for both simple everyday moments and special occasions.

The rich and complex wines of Pouilly-Fuissé go very well with refined seafood dishes: prawns, lobster, spiny lobster, etc. They also make an elegant accompaniment to fish or white meat dishes with a creamy sauce. The more mature wines are a perfect match for half-cooked foie gras. The aromatic power of these elixirs also allows them to go beautifully with exotic, spicy and fragrant cuisine (fish tagine, shrimps in sweet and sour sauce, etc.). As for cheeses, Pouilly-Fuissé, offering a fine balance between acidity and suppleness, is enhanced by goat's cheeses.

Pouilly-Fuissé wine has good ageing potential, with the possibility of drinking it after 3 to 5 years in the cellar. Some cuvées from the region's greatest estates can be kept for 10 years.

Pouilly-Fuissé white wine is best served at a temperature of 11°C to 13°C.