
Pouilly-Fumé: original flavours!
The term “fumé” (smoked) refers as much to the grey bloom that covers the ripe Sauvignon Blanc grapes as it does to the flinty flavour that is typical of this wine, which obtained its AOC in 1937.
Pouilly’s 1224 hectares of vines are planted on the right bank of the Loire River. Its soil (limestone, “terres blanches” (“white earth” and flint) and predominant varietal (Sauvignon Blanc) make it Sancerre’s twin.
Tasting Pouilly-Fumé will surprise and delight you. Dry yet fruity with floral notes, this wine is characterized by its minerality, in particular inimitable flintiness, offering a complex palette that reveals all of the growers’ work. True wine lovers are often enthusiasts for this unique, typical flavour.
Enjoy in its youth … or not!
You will delight in tasting Pouilly-Fumé generally within 6 to 18 months after the harvest, if you wish to enjoy its youthful liveliness and freshness. When sharing a meal with friends or family, pair it with goat’s cheese, fish served with sauces, white meats or scallops.
However, you will also be pleased certain Pouilly-Fumé wines whose ageing potential is worth a little patience – maturing develops its characteristics to make it an excellent wine that is gratifying, complex and captivating.