Pouilly Fume: What You Should Know About This French Wine Region
France is the crown jewel among wine-producing regions of the world, known for producing a wide range of styles that are cherished by enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. The region is home to numerous renowned appellations that add a unique personality to the wines they produce with their terroir and meticulous winemaking practices that have been passed on for generations. One such prestigious wine appellation to come from this region is Pouilly-Fumé.
(Fournier Pouilly Fume represents the finest expression that this region has to offer. It is imported to India by Chenab Impex.)
Characteristics
Pouilly-Fumé is known to produce a light-to-medium-bodied dry wine that is pale straw yellow in colour. It has high acidity and refreshing aromas of green apple, gooseberry, lime and white flowers, along with hints of wet stone and subtle smoky notes. While herbaceous notes are present across all expressions of Sauvignon Blanc, such aromas are sublime in Pouilly-Fumé in comparison to the ones from New Zealand.
Grape Variety
Pouilly-Fumé produces a white wine with Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. This is an aromatic variety that thrives in cool to moderate climates to produce dry wines that are light to medium-body and zesty acidity. Sauvignon Blanc is usually associated with bold herby notes of grass and green bell pepper. It also has notes of green apple, gooseberry and wet stones, along with hints of ripe tropical fruit such as passion fruit and floral aromas
Geographic Location
Pouilly-Fumé appellation comprises 18 communes that are situated on the right bank of the Loire River. The vineyards known to produce this exquisite wine are Pouilly-Fumé wine is produced in Pouilly-sur-Loire, Saint-Andelain, Tracy-sur-Loire (village Boisgibault), Saint-Laurent-l'Abbaye, Mesves-sur-Loire, Saint-Martin-sur-Nohain and Garchy. The region experiences a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.
Winemaking
Situated in the Central vineyards of The Loire Valley, Pouilly-Fumé is an appellation spanning seven communes on and around Pouilly-sur-Loire, on the right bank of the Loire River, which experiences a cool climate. Sauvignon Blanc is the only white wine grape variety permitted in this appellation and another famous appellation that lies opposite right to it on the left bank of the river- Sancerre AOC.
Up until the mid-nineteenth century, Pouilly-Fumé was also known to grow grape varieties like Chardonnay, Chasselas, Pinot Noir and Gamay. However, after the deadly phylloxera wiped out the vines, winemakers decided to stick to planting Sauvignon Blanc as it was suitable for the climate of the appellation. The grape variety is known by the name Blanc Fumé in this region, where “Blanc” means white and “Fumé” means smoke. The unique name comes from the distinctive smoky aroma that is associated with this grape variety.
Vineyards in this region have chalky and well-drained stony soil. The presence of limestone and flint is what gives the wine its distinctive minerally notes, while also enabling the ripening of grapes despite the cool weather by way of retaining heat.
Winemakers often use gentle pneumatic pressing and temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats to ensure that the delicate wine tastes fresh and fruity. Some winemakers use oak barrels to ferment and mature their wines to give them a more robust texture.
Food pairing
Due to its green fruit flavours, Pouilly-Fumé pairs well with fresh fruit salads like a crunchy green apple salad. Vegetarians can also pair it with green vegetable dishes like zucchini fritters or asparagus risotto. You can also pair it with a variety of seafood dishes like grilled shrimp or pan-seared scallops, thanks to its zingy acidity and citrus notes. Its nuanced herbaceous notes pair quite well with herbs like dill, cilantro, rosemary, chive, thyme and basil. If you have cheese on your mind, then we would recommend a serving of soft goat cheese, burrata, crème fraîche or feta.
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