Decanter World Wine Awards: superb Silver Medallist Domaine de Bel Air, Pouilly-Fumé 2023, Loire: one of the most exciting domaines producing excellent wines which are among the best of the appellation: case of six bottles delivered

Domaine de Bel Air

The domaine is situated in the heart of the Pouilly vineyard, on the communes of Pouilly sur Loire and Saint Andelain. A family-run winemaker whose forebear was described as a vigneron in 1635, they have a ‘nurture Nature’ approach and excellent wines.

Domaine de Bel Air own and cultivate 15 hectares and make three Pouilly Fumé, two from grapes grown of different types of soils and this wine which is from a variety of soil types. They closely monitor the maturity their vines to choose the best possible date for harvest. Their cellar is designed to work by gravity rather than pumping from one part of the process to the next. The grapes are pressed with pneumatic wine presses which press wine very gently and produce a juice whose qualities are preserved. The juice is settled to become clear naturally by sedimentation under low temperatures. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and epoxy covered concrete tanks. After fermentation the wine rests on the lees for three or four months before racking, filtration and bottling.

www.bel-air-pouilly.com