Photo courtesy of Bret Brothers

Admit It, We All Love Pouilly-Fuisse
Burgundy For All

The everyday white Burgundy that we all grew up on as we know it delivers a depth, power, finesse and enjoyment well worth its price point. Finally, France’s INAO approved Premier Cru rankings for Pouilly-Fuisse vineyards! These are, without question, some of the most enjoyed, beloved and consumed wines of the region.

The wines of Pouilly-Fuisse have long been loved in the USA, constantly marketed as the everyday white Burgundy to enjoy at a fraction of the price of the Montrachets or Meursaults. Names like JJ Vincent, Chateau de Fuisse, Louis Latour, Louis Jadot and Joseph Drouhin propelled the wines of this region to popularity across restaurants and retails stores around the nation. The category became known for wines of generosity and availability.

Twenty years ago we started to see a resurgence in the region, new found interest from vignerons to produce higher quality wines, wines of depth, and wine of ageability. This band of producers, led by the Bret Brothers, Gilles Noblet, Oliver Merlin, Dominique Lafon from Meursault, and even Louis Jadot with the acquisition of Ferret, brought about a resurgence in Pouilly-Fuisse.

This resurgence, coupled with the longstanding greats of the region, have been fighting for decades to have a hierarchy of vineyards defined much like their counterparts in the north. The reason is simple, Pouilly-Fuisse is not a generic wine where it’s all the same. The region is vast and full of micro-climates defined by the soil compositions and exposure to the famed hills that surround the vineyards. 

Today the movement stresses increased quality, low yields, and to highlight why establishing Premier Cru vineyards in Pouilly-Fuisse was necessary. The years ahead are very exciting in Pouilly-Fuisse and will be revealing even more domaines that are absolutely knocking it out of the park.

Here is our list of top quality producers and wines built for the cellar and enjoyment today from Pouilly-Fuisee and the neighboring tiny appellations of Pouilly-Loche and Pouilly-Vinzelles.

Cheers,
Jeremy