#WineWednesday: Pouilly-Fuissé (White Burgundy)

For the longest time, I thought I didn’t like Chardonnays.   When I think of Chardonnay, I think of big, bold California wines that have been aged in oak barrels and have a buttery aroma. But Chardonnay grapes are in a lot of wines, including my new favorite Pouilly-Fuissé, a White Burgundy.

While you’ll never hear me complain about a buttery aroma, I don’t always want to drink it, whether it’s from a wine glass or otherwise.

I am not going to say there isn’t a time and a place for a big, oaky Chardonnay because taste in wine is so, so subjective. But I will say that full white wines typically aren’t my favorite. French white wines on other other hand? Now, we’re on the same page.

Pouilly-Fuissé is a white wine made in a village in the Mâconnais (Burgundy region in central France) that produces a highly distinctive Chardonnay wine. The vineyards producing this wine are part of a landscape where the limestone and heavy clay soils combine to create a unique ‘terroir.’ Louis Latour Pouilly-Fuissé,  which happens to be my current favorite white wine, has floral aromas, a fruit forward flavor and hints of buttery hazelnuts. It has the perfect balance of acidity, fruit and warmth, along with lemony citrus notes and a hint of pear.

Like a lot of white Burgundy wines, the Pouilly-Fuissé is rich but light and delicately balanced with flavors of lemon, lime and pear. It’s both accessible and affordable, for only $20 at Whole Foods and $14.99 in some online wine shops.

Why should you drink this wine? If you like full white wines but can do without the oak-y taste that accompanies most domestic Chardonnays.

When should you drink this wine? Pouilly-Fuissé is the perfect wine to serve at a dinner party if you’re serving a rich seafood or a light chicken dish. I would pair this with warm, buttery flavors, roasted chicken and vegetables or creamy salads and dressings. What I wouldn’t pair this with?

How should you drink this wine? Chilled, like any good white wine.

How long should I age this wine? For the casual wine drinker, there is typically little reason to age a white wine. In most cases, the aging process has already taken place and by the time the wine hits the bottle, it’s ready to go.

Food Pairings: Seafood is great with Pouilly-Fuissé, as is an earthy chicken dish like a perfect roasted chicken. Serve with Risotto with Sun Dried Tomato and Shrimp, Chicken Piccata Pasta or Foil Packet Salmon with Lemon and Capers. Or, just drink it solo with your favorite cheese.