What I Learned:
The Appellation Pouilly-Fuisse lies in the southern part of Burgundy’s Maconnais district, not too far from Lyon. It covers a small area: only Chaintre, Vergisson, Fuisse, Pouilly and Solutre, (known collectively as Solutre-Pouilly), totaling about 755 hectares (less than 1900 acres). This area was once under a vast sea, as is witnessed by the high concentration of limestone, made of trillions of trillions of tiny shells from ancient mollusks. Dropping down to the bottom of the sea, once the sea retreated, the shell mass solidified into calcareous limestone. This type of limestone can impart a fair degree of minerality to the wine.
All AOC wines from here are made from the Chardonnay varietal. No other varietal is allowed in wines from this appellation. The Chardonnay grapes here famously pick up the flavors of the soil. As a result, they can vary from one vintner to the next, depending on the vineyard parcel the grapes came from. The result is a wine that is quite distinct from other Chardonnays in Burgundy. Les Morlays is one of the most well-known climat (Burgundian word for terroir) in this appellation.
What I Tasted:
2013 Chardonnay, Les Trois Terroirs, Appellation Pouilly-Fuisse Controlee, Domaine Cheveau: A dry white wine with medium yellow color; a sharp fruity nose, with green fruit and mineral flavors; a light bodied wine with medium acidity.
2013 Chardonnay, Aux Bouthieres, Appellation Pouilly-Fuisse Controlee, Domaine Cheveau: A dry white wine with light yellow color; a sharp nose of mineral flavors; light fruit and smoke flavors; a light bodied wine with medium acidity.
2013 Chardonnay, Vieilles Vignes, Appellation Pouilly-Fuisse Controlee, Domain Daniel Pollier: A dry white wine with intense medium gold color; layers of flavor, with floral, green fruit and vanilla notes; in spite of a sharp nose, this wine has only a medium minus acidity and is very smooth.
2012 Chardonnay, Cuvee Terroir, Appellation Pouilly-Fuisse Controlee, Domaine R. Luquet; A dry white wine with light gold color: a tart, mineral nose, and flavors of citrus, minerals, vanilla, honey and toasted nuts; Medium acidity.
2012 Chardonnay, En Chatenet, Appellation Pouilly-Fuisse Protegee, Domaine R. Luquet: A dry white wine with dark minus gold color; a lemon-grass and vanilla nose, with flavors of citrus, vanilla, mustard and smoke; medium acidity.
2012 Chardonnay, En Bourg, Appellation Pouilly-Fuisse Protegee, Domaine R. Luquet: A dry white wine with medium gold color: a spicy nose, with spice, honey, toasty flavors; mild plus acidity.
2011, Chardonnay, Pouilly Fuisse Appellation d’Origine Protegee, Domaine des 3 Tilleuls: A dry white wine with medium gold color; slight vanilla, mineral and green floral nose; slight spice, toast, and vanilla flavors; mild acidity and full body.