# Pouilly-Fuissé Premier Cru La Frérie (2022)

- **Producer:** Domaine Auvigue
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €40
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blossom, pear, lemon, grapefruit, lime, violet, butter, toast, vanilla, mushroom, honey, hazelnut

## About this wine

Domaine Auvigue is a highly respected estate in the Mâconnais region of Burgundy, recently relocating its winemaking operations to a beautifully restored Romanesque church in the heart of Fuissé. The 'La Frérie' climat is one of the newly minted Premier Crus of Pouilly-Fuissé, officially recognized starting with the 2020 vintage. This tiny, four-hectare vineyard is situated in the historic village of Solutré-Pouilly. What makes this parcel unique is its soil: unlike the classic white limestone of the region, La Frérie features deep red clay rich in iron oxide. This specific parcel holds deep family significance for the estate, as it is owned by the grandmother of Sylvain Brenas-Auvigue, who currently runs the domaine.

## Interesting facts

- La Frérie is one of the smallest Premier Crus in Pouilly-Fuissé, spanning only about four hectares in total.
- Domaine Auvigue's gravity-fed cellars are housed inside a beautifully restored Romanesque church in Fuissé.
- The unique red clay soils of this vineyard are rich in iron oxide, giving the wine a distinct structural power.
- The specific parcel of La Frérie managed by the estate is owned by the grandmother of winemaker Sylvain Brenas-Auvigue.

## Food pairing

This Premier Cru Chardonnay possesses a beautiful balance of rich body, vibrant acidity, and subtle oak integration. It pairs wonderfully with rich seafood and poultry dishes where the wine's high acidity cuts through creamy or buttery sauces, while its medium-plus body matches the weight of the food. The mineral undertones also complement earthy elements like wild mushrooms and aged mountain cheeses.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process at Domaine Auvigue combines traditional Burgundian methods with meticulous care. The Chardonnay grapes are entirely hand-harvested at peak maturity. Following a gentle direct pressing, the juice undergoes static settling before being transferred to French oak barrels (ranging from one to three years old). Fermentation is carried out using only native yeasts, followed by a complete malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged for approximately 11 months on its fine lees with regular stirring (bâtonnage) tailored to the vintage's weight. Finally, the wine is transferred to stainless steel vats for a few months of refinement to enhance precision and tension before a light filtration and bottling.