Pouilly-Fumé
Based in St. Andelain Benoit Chauveau is the latest in a long line of descendants who have produced wine in Pouilly. He took over his parents' vineyard in 1995, and his grandparents' in 1997.
Together with his wife, Emmanuelle, Benoit farms about 12 hectares and produces about 80,000 bottles per annum. They are fortunate to have 2 different types of soil which they can exploit to produce 2 different types of wine.
'La Charmette'
- Kimmeridgian marl and Villiers limestone.
- vines 15 - 20 years old
- 9 hectares
- 100% Sauvignon blanc
- 70,000 bottles
- mixed soil produces wines of complex aromas
'Les Croqloups'
- siliceous-clay
- vines 40 - 45 years old
- 1.5 hectares
- 100% Sauvignon blanc
- 8,000 bottles
- the white or grey clay contains small pieces of flint, which
produce crisp Pouilly Fumes with 'gunflint' mimeral aromas.
Benoit also produces 2,000 bottles of his top-of-the-range 'Ste. Clelie' Pouilly using 30 year old vines grown over 1.5 hectares. These are the best wines and come from Kimmeridgian marl. The wine rests on the lees for 12 months in stainless steel tank before being bottled.
In addition Benoit's 'negociant' wine is called 'Benoit Chauveau' and provides a slightly lower price-point than 'La Charmette' and 'Les Croqloups'.
Benoit's Pouilly Fume is a wine best appreciated young, and accompanies fish, seafood, shellfish - especially scallops, and white meats and cheeses. Particularly goat's cheese such as the local speciality Crottin de Chavignol. Also excellent as an apperitif.
The wine will keep for 3-4 years.