Alphonse Mellot Pouilly Fumé Réserve

Along with the climate and grape variety, one of the most influential factors in wine quality is the type of terroir. Kimmeridgian limestone soils, composed of grey limestone originally identified in Kimmeridge, England, are the main soil type of the Loire Valley, Champagne and Burgundy regions. One of the French denominations that has this soil is Pouilly-Fumé. An AOC of the Loire that is dedicated exclusively to the production of white wines made with the Sauvignon Blanc and Chasselas varieties and is recognised mainly by its characteristic smoky aroma of “flint”. This is where we find the Mellot family, a family of winegrowers who have been managing this estate for more than 500 years with the utmost respect for the vine and the environment. Today, Alphonse and his sister Emmanuelle, the 19th generation, have inherited an exceptional level of expertise which is reflected in the quality of their wines and which has led them to be at the top of this particular French denomination.

Their Alphonse Mellot Pouilly Fumé Réserve wine is a single-variety Sauvignon Blanc from vineyards with an average age of 40 years old planted on Kimmeridgian limestone soils. In the vineyard, manual labour is carried out following the principles of certified organic and biodynamic agriculture. The yields are limited and the harvest is carried out manually at the optimum point of ripeness. In the winery, the grapes are thoroughly sorted, destemmed and gently crushed. The resulting must is fermented in stainless steel tanks with local yeasts at a controlled temperature. This is where the wine stays for a period of time on its own lees before bottling.

The result of this work is Alphonse Mellot Pouilly Fumé Réserve, a tasty and pleasing wine with a richness and persistence that promise a very good expression even after several years.