1977 Alexis Lichine Pouilly Fuisse

Alexis Lichine was a larger-than-life figure who was born in Moscow in 1913 and died in Bordeaux in 1989. During his life he was an indefatigable salesman and promoter, as well as the winner of numerous military honors in WWII. He began his wine career as a wine writer and an expert on French and California wines and in 1951 purchased Chateau Prieure-Lichine. He also started a negociant business in New York and set up a wine shipping company in Bordeaux. Wines with the Lichine label are associated with his negociant/exporting firms.

Mâconnais is in the southern end of Burgundy, just above Beaujolais. The district takes its name from the village of Mâcon, which was the center of a thriving wine trade in the 17th century. In those days Mâconnais produced more red than white wine. Today Mâcconais makes mostly white wine made from Chardonnay grapes and is best known as the home of Pouilly-Fuissé. Pouilly-Fuissé is a white wine appellation made up of the villages of Pouilly and Fuissé. There are no Grand or Premier Crus in Mâconnais. But in addition to Pouilly-Fuissé, village appellations include Saint-Véran, Viré-Clessé and Mâcon and Mâcon-Villages. The Mâcon plus a village name is an allowable wine label. Mâcconais includes 17,300 acres of vineyards. Red wines are made from Pinot Noir or Gamay, which is the primary grape just slightly further south in Beaujolais.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.