1990 Louis Latour Pouilly Fuisse

Louis Latour is one of Burgundy’s largest and most influential negociants and wine producers. The Latour family has been in the wine business in Burgundy since the 17th century when it started a maison and ran its own domaine for wine production. Today the maison is located in Beaune and the chateau is in Aloxe-Corton. Domaine Louis Latour has 71 acres of Grand Cru vineyards, making it the largest Grand Cru domaine in the Cote d’Or. The vineyards are located between Chambertin and Chevalier-Montrachet. In addition, Domaine Latour has another 50 acres of Premier Cru and other parcels. Domaine Louis Latour is best known for its Chardonnay, including the Grand Crus Corton-Charlemagne and Chevalier-Montrachet les Demoiselles. The Domaine also makes several Grand Cru reds, including the much-admired Corton-Grancey. Louis Latour owns 741 acres in Ardeche, in the south of France, where the firm produces modestly-priced Chardonnay.

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.