PouillyFumé

Pouilly-Fumé is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for dry white wine produced in the Loire Valley, centered around the town of Pouilly-sur-Loire on the Loire River in central France. The designation covers a series of communes on the upland plateau and along the river valley, where Sauvignon Blanc is the sole grape variety used.

Pouilly-Fumé wines are typically dry and aromatic, with crisp acidity and a pronounced mineral character. They are renowned for their smoky, flinty aromas and flavors, often described as "fumé." Primary fruit notes include citrus, green apple, and pear, with herbal or floral hints that may develop with age.

Most Pouilly-Fumé is vinified in stainless steel or neutral vessels to preserve freshness, though a small portion may see oak or lees contact. Malolactic fermentation is usually avoided to maintain bright acidity and structure.

The AOC Pouilly-Fumé was established in the 1930s, with official status granted in 1937. The wines come from a terroir dominated by silex (flint) soils, with some clay-limestone zones contributing texture. The climate is continental with Atlantic influences, producing wines that drink well young but can gain complexity with bottle age.

Due to its mineral profile, Pouilly-Fumé pairs well with seafood, oysters, and goat cheese, as well as salads and lighter poultry dishes. It is often enjoyed as an aperitif in France and is widely appreciated abroad for its crisp, characterful style.