Jules Desjourneys – Pouilly Loche

This great dry white wine expresses the quintessence of the Chardonnay grape through its elegance and its fruit. It may be enjoyed in a number of different ways and different circumstances. When young, its greeny-gold color and nose of acacia and hawthorn flowers qualify it to be drunk as a pre-dinner drink. Its freshness reveals aromas of peach and lemon or grapefruit. After 3 to 5 years in the bottle (depending on the vintage), its gold turns to amber and more complex notes emerge, ranging from pear and apricot to quince and dried fruits, hazelnut or toasted almond, or even gingerbread. There is wide variation between Climats in this appellation so Pouilly-Loché may turn out opulent and silky or friskier and more mineral. In any case, it always retains its balanced structure which ensures a long finish in the mouth.

Lively and upright, its aromatic spectrum permits characterful – even daring - matches such as smoked salmon on toast, shrimp, spring-rolls, or sushi. It is a natural partner for oysters, crustaceans and seafood. Noble sea or river-fish (boiled or grilled), poultry (oven-roasted or in cream sauce), and chicken with freshwater crayfish (poulet aux écrevisses) are classic festive dishes to match it with, but Pouilly-Loché may also accompany white-meat dishes with vegetables, guinea fowl with olives, and exotic meat dishes such as pork with pineapple or sweet potatoes, as well as tandoori chicken. It can readily be enjoyed with goat cheeses such as the Mâconnais own bouton de culotte and, if it has been oak-aged, can stand up to a truculent Beaufort or even an Époisses.

Serving temperature: 11 to 13°C.