Mâconnais

 

Solutre Pouilly sign (pic. Euan McKay)

Solutre Pouilly (pic. Euan McKay)

The dramatic escarpments of Solutré and Vergisson were formed during the Bajocien period and provide identical fossilized limestone to the Côte-d’Or. At altitudes of up to 300 metres the Chardonnay vines are planted on the steep east and south-east facing slopes with their clay-limestone soils and schist which was bedded during the Jurassic period.

Whilst the AOC for Solutré-Pouilly, Fuissé, Vergisson and Chaintré orignates from 1936 there are moves afoot for the recognition of some Premier Cru sites. The wines are generally rich and lush with fine acid profiles, the top growers regularly off up greater complexity and detail that rivals that of a Chassagne or Puligny-Montrachet. Domaine Thibert is certainly one of the top growers pushing the envelope here.

Pouilly Fuisse (pic. Euan McKay)

Pouilly Fuisse (pic. Euan McKay)