# Rully 1er Cru La Pucelle (2018)

- **Producer:** Domaine Michel Briday
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 10–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** acacia blossom, peach, citrus, apricot, butter, toasted bread, hazelnut, almond

## About this wine

Michel Briday Rully 1er Cru La Pucelle 2018 is a 100% Chardonnay from the Rully appellation in Burgundy's Côte Chalonnaise. The wine originates from the Premier Cru vineyard 'La Pucelle,' known for its minerality and subtle character. Domaine Michel Briday, a family estate with over 40 years of history, emphasizes expressing the unique subtleties of Rully wines through sustainable viticulture and minimal intervention. The 2018 vintage benefited from a warm, dry growing season that promoted ripe fruit while preserving acidity.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'La Pucelle' dates back to the Middle Ages, possibly from the Latin 'Pulcella' meaning 'pretty' or 'charming'.
- The vineyard is a Premier Cru climat, signifying its high-quality status within the Rully appellation.
- Domaine Michel Briday adheres to the Terra Vitis® charter, focusing on sustainable viticulture.
- The average vine age in La Pucelle is 45 years.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium+ body and crisp acidity complement richer dishes by cutting through fat and cleansing the palate. Its subtle minerality and fruit notes can echo or contrast with ingredients like herbs, citrus, and creamy sauces, creating harmonious pairings.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Michel Briday Rully 1er Cru La Pucelle begins with manual harvesting. Grapes are pressed immediately and fermentation starts naturally in 300-liter and 400-liter oak barrels, a technique chosen to preserve fruit and approachability. The fermentation is slow and full, occurring at cool temperatures. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes aging in oak casks for 10 to 18 months, with lees stirring employed to develop body and freshness. The proportion of new oak varies by vintage. Domaine Michel Briday follows the Terra Vitis® charter, emphasizing respect for soils and reasoned vine cultivation.