Pouilly-Fumé (French pronunciation: [puji fyme]) is an appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) for the dry sauvignon blanc white wine produced around Pouilly-sur-Loire, in the Nièvre département. Another white wine produced in the same area but with a different grape variety is called Pouilly-sur-Loire.
| Wine region | |
 | |
| Type | AOC |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1937 |
| Country |  France |
| Part of | Nivernais |
| Climate region | moderate temperate oceanic |
| Soil conditions | kimmeridgian marl and clay with flints |
| Total area | 1,200 hectares |
| Varietals produced | Sauvignon blanc[1] |
| Wine produced | From 65 to 75 hl/ha[2] |
Etymology
editPouilly-Fumé is made purely from sauvignon blanc, a type of vine whose clusters are formed of small ovoid grapes, pressed against each other and resembling small bird eggs. At maturity, these grapes are coated with a grey bloom, the color of smoke—which explains why Pouilly winegrowers talk of "white smoke" to describe the type of vine or the wines made from it. "Fumé" also refers to the smoky bouquet (the renowned "gun flint aroma"), bestowed by the terroir vineyards of Pouilly-sur-Loire.
History
editAntiquity
editThe vineyards of Pouilly-Fumé date back to the fifth century. The area was a Gallo-Roman estate dating back to the early days of the Roman Empire.[3] The name derives from the Latin Pauliacum super fluvium ligerim (Pauliacum on the River Loire), reflecting the Roman road which passed through this locality.[4]
Middle Ages
editBenedictine monks commenced development of Pouilly-Fumé in the Middle Ages. Sacramental wine is traditionally white, less prone to staining, and the Benedictines developed the vineyards without seeking profitability. The fiefdom and vineyards of Pouilly were transferred to the Benedictines of La Charité-sur-Loire for the sum of "3100 sous and a silver mark" towards the end of the eleventh century. A plot of about 4 hectares (9.9 acres) overlooking the River Loire has retained the appellation Loge aux Moines (Monks’ Lodge), in memory of that era. The repurchase of Boisgibault lands in 1383 by Jean III de Sancerre demonstrates the proximity that has always existed between this vineyard and that of Sancerre, and their respective white wine production.
Modern period
editDespite floods and low water, transport of Pouilly wines via the Loire was efficient and fast, due to the location of the vineyard. This wine was always exported by water navigation, especially after the opening of the Canal de Briare in 1642. After the French Revolution of 1789, peasants were able to become owners of land and vineyards formerly possessions of the nobility and clergy.
At the end of the nineteenth century, growers were faced with mildew and phylloxera. The vineyard was devastated and many cultivators had to redeploy. After many unsuccessful attempts at treatment, the vines were uprooted in the early twentieth century and only part of the vineyard was replanted after grafting onto American rootstock.
Contemporary period
editPouilly-Fumé has been an Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) since 1937. Today a large part of the production is sold abroad, especially to Great Britain.
Location
editThe following vineyard communes are to be found in the Nièvre, to the east of the Loire: Pouilly-sur-Loire, Saint-Andelain, Tracy-sur-Loire (village Boisgibault), Saint-Laurent-l'Abbaye, Mesves-sur-Loire, Saint-Martin-sur-Nohain, Garchy.
Orography
editThe terrain is slightly undulating because of the Loire which has created a valley; Sancerre is on a promontory to the other side of the river.
Geology
editThe soil consists of three major types: Kimmeridgian marl, hard limestone and flint clay.[5]
Climate
editThe climate is temperate with a slight tendency to continental.
Vineyard
editThe Nièvre vineyard is spread over 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres), with 120 winemakers annually producing approximately 70,400 hectolitres (1,860,000 US gal).[6]
This varietal Sauvignon is similar to those of the vineyards of Sancerre. It should not be confused with Pouilly-Fuissé, a chardonnay wine from the south of Burgundy (Mâcon).
References
edit- ^ "Décret n° 2011-784 du 28 juin 2011 relatif aux appellations d'origine contrôlées « Pouilly-Fumé » ou « Blanc Fumé de Pouilly » et « Pouilly-sur-Loire »". Lègifrance (in French). Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ "Décret n° 2009-1307 du 27 octobre 2009 relatif aux appellations d'origine contrôlées « Reuilly », « Sancerre », « Quincy », « Coteaux du Giennois », « Menetou-Salon », « Pouilly-Fumé » ou « Blanc Fumé de Pouilly » « Pouilly-sur-Loire », « Jurançon », « Gaillac » et « Gaillac premières côtes »". Légifrance (in French). Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ "Histoire Le vignoble de Pouilly au fil des siècles" (in French). 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ "OT Sauldre & Sologne - Gastronomy". www.tourisme-sauldre-sologne.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ Solar Green Guide: Wines of France. (Page No. 207 of Pouilly-Fumé).
- ^ "Pouilly-Fumé". loirevalleywine.com. 2014. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
Further reading
edit- Mastrojanni Michel: Les Vins de France (green guide solar). Solar Editions, Paris 1992 - 1994 - 1998 (ISBN 2-263-02796-3)
External links
edit- Pouilly-Fumé AOC. official site Archived 2008-05-12 at the Wayback Machine (in English)
- 2 Rives pour vous servir.com: Article on the "Syndicat Viticole de l'Aire AOC de Pouilly", (in English) Archived 2022-01-28 at the Wayback Machine