The Pouilly-Fuissé wine region in Mâconnais, Burgundy, is well-known for producing top-quality Chardonnay wines that can rival those from the Côte de Beaune in northern Burgundy.
Due to a devastating spring frost, the Domaine du Chalet Pouilly only produced 2489 bottles of Pouilly-Fuisse Premier Cru Au Vignerais in the 2021 vintage, compared to the normal production of about 5600 bottles.
Au Vignerais is in the village of Solutré-Pouilly, on the southern slope of Roche de Solutré at around 300m altitude.
Tasting notes:
At first, you may notice a subtle aroma of toasted wood, but after letting it breathe for a bit, you can detect more complex citrus, hazelnut, white peach, and lime flower scents. The taste is equally delightful, with a creamy texture perfectly balanced with acidity. The alcohol content is 13% by volume.
For optimal enjoyment, Pouilly-Fuissé Premier Cru should be served chilled at 14°C. It pairs well with various dishes, including seafood like grilled lobster and fish like pikeperch, salmon, Saint-Pierre, and sole. White meats like roasted pork, poultry dishes like chicken in a salted crust, fettuccine, avocado with prawns, sashimi, sushi, and a selection of cheeses like saint-nectaire, charolle, and comté are also great accompaniments.
1er Cru AU VIGNERAIS is a myriad of small plots assemblage, including (La Rousselonne planted in 1946 and 1979, La Mure planted in 1985, Les Crays planted in 1987, Au Vignerais planted in 1946, Les Fournias planted in 1992).
Vinification and aging: The grapes are pressed by pneumatic press, and after the cold stabilization, the juice is then put in 500 liters of French oak barrels, of which 15% are new. Regular stirring and topping up in the cellar for 16 months for the vintage 2021 before bottling took place on February 23, 2023.
The Domaine du Chalet Pouilly produced 2489 bottles for the premier cru for the 2021 vintage.
At Domaine du Chalet Pouilly, we believe in prioritizing viticulture methods that respect the terroir to a great extent. We understand minimal intervention during ripening can be challenging, but it ultimately benefits us by providing unique flavors and aromas in our wines. This philosophy guides our approach to winemaking.
22 Premier Cru climats, representing 194 hectares, or 24% of the total Pouilly-Fuissé AOC. They are spread across the appellation's four communes: Chaintré, Fuissé, Solutré-Pouilly, and Vergisson.
Pouilly-Fuissé's regulations for its premier cru wines are stricter: Yields are limited to 56 hectoliters per hectare, no chemical herbicides are allowed, and wines must be aged until July 1 of the following year.
Ships on the same working day if ordered before noon.
