Pouilly-Vinzelles Cuvée Zen AOC 2022

Wine Description for Pouilly-Vinzelles Cuvée Zen AOC 2022 by La Soufrandière

Colour & Appearance

Medium straw yellow with bronze-tinged reflections, slightly hazy – an authentic, unadorned natural wine character that visually reveals its minimal sulphiting of just 28 mg/l.

Nose

Remarkably bright and precise on the bouquet. Lemon zest and green apple dominate with an almost cool clarity. These are joined by limestone minerality and fine citrus notes. The aromatics appear more transparent and focused than in more heavily sulphited counterparts – a fascinating example of how a few milligrammes of sulphites can alter a wine’s expressiveness.

Palate

Compact and dynamic. Crisp stone fruit and citrus fruits flow across the tongue with refreshing directness. The agile acidity lends the wine pleasant pressure and tension, whilst fine tannins provide additional texture. Despite the freshness, a subtle creaminess emerges on the mid-palate – the result of malolactic fermentation and partial barrel ageing.

Finish

Medium length with lingering citrus freshness and mineral resonance. The acidity remains present without being intrusive – a wine that invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

Two hectares at 230 metres elevation in Pouilly-Vinzelles, 40 to 55-year-old vines on clay-limestone soils from the Bajocian (Jurassic period). The geological imprint is distinctly perceptible – this Chardonnay carries the cool minerality of southern Burgundy within it.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Chardonnay, hand-harvested late August 2022. Whole-bunch pressing, spontaneous fermentation, maturation 80% in stainless steel, 20% in 228-litre barriques. Complete malolactic fermentation. The “Zen” in the name stands for reduced sulphiting – a bold, purist approach by the Bret brothers.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pot au feu of day-caught fish with Fregola Sarda, saffron and fennel risotto with salmon, truffle potato dumplings with wild herb salad, but also grilled scallops or goat’s cheese.

Special Features

The Cuvée Zen is a prime example of minimal-intervention winemaking. With just 28 mg/l total sulphur, it demonstrates how lively and expressive Chardonnay can be when you trust it.