What makes Domaine Fourrier wines so special?

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Domaine Fourrier is a family-owned and operated business, where tradition and innovation are balanced by the desire to make world-class wines. Domaine Fourrier is a family-owned estate of less than one hectare in the appellation of Vouvray in the Loire Valley. The brief of the house is to show the terroir, with 100% indigenous yeasts, only hand-harvested, 50% whole bunch fermentation in an open wooden vat and disgorged after 6-7 months using a traditional basket press. Domains specializing in 100% vin brut are rare and Domaine Fourrier wines are truly outstanding because they capture the essence of the area and have exceptional aging potential over many years.

Domaine Fourrier’s limited supply of organic and biodynamic wines merit an unprecedented waitlist.

With a family tradition of winemaking, dating back five generations, Domaine Fourrier’s Jean-Paul Fourrier crafts wines from the heart. Made in Burgundy since 1887, Domaine Fourrier is a family-owned business that respects the quality of its products and the infinite care taken during all steps of production. Jean-Paul carefully blends varieties from various slopes to deliver each wine in its peak condition. The expert team at Domaine Fourrier monitors closely every step in the production method to guarantee the best quality for your pleasure.

Domaine Fourrier is one of Burgundy’s largest and most dynamic wineries on the Cote de Nuits. The estate can trace its roots back seven generations, to around 1780, when a family of winegrowers named Fourier arrived in Irancy. Today, the family-run Domaine Fourrier is owned by Jean-Marc Fournier. His son, Jean-Paul Fourrier, runs Domaine Fourrier with his sister and brother. Growing up in Burgundy, the four were exposed to the entire process of making legendary wines from a very young age. Like his father who had worked for several years as a cellar worker before taking over his parents’ business in 1974 (at the age of 25), Jean-Paul was exposed to every part of the process: from vineyard management through enology and selling to distribution. Today customers love our wines that have been rated 90+ points by FINE WINE ADVOCATE.

Domaine Fourriers’ commitment to viticulture, or winemaking, is in the grapes themselves. The 365 acres of vines at Domaine Fourrier are planted with a handful of grape varieties—most commonly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gamay—that are native to the region between Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea. All of their wines are made in small lots that average only 550 cases per lot. Their goal is to produce small lots of consistent yet expressive wines of high quality. We also offer Domaine Fourrier’s Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes, which is 100% Gamay grown within their vineyards in France’s Rhone Valley. Unlike the typical Beaujolais Nouveau, the VDP features a full-bodied and fruity character because it has aged for several years before release, resulting in a wine that is both lively and complex.

For generations, the Fourrier family has been making outstanding wines in Vosne-Romanée and the Côte de Nuits, France. Their wines have garnered praise from prestigious critics and bottle after bottle wins top awards. Domaine Fourrier’s commitment to producing wine with a focus on quality, rather than quantity, has allowed them to work with select sections of their 131 acres of vineyards as well as lower yield per vine. With a wonderfully light touch of oak aging and a careful selection of grapes, every wine develops its own unique identity.

Founded in 1967 by Jean Fourrier, Online wine auctions is one of the largest producers of Sancerre wines. Vineyards cover 17 hectares, spread over five sites, including Fiefs Saint-Jacques on limestone gravel soil with clay mixture for soil rich in minerals. The vines are trained into the famous Guyot system and benefit from exposure to the morning sun. Dating back to 1829, Domaine Fourrier is a fascinating part of Burgundy’s history, founded by a doctor whose passion for viticulture turned him into a winegrower. Today the winery lies in the commune Dijon, surrounded by the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. Behind their vineyards lies a 1-hectare beech wood, and beyond that a wood of hazelnut trees planted in the 1960s. These trees help maintain a healthy ecosystem since they host bee colonies essential to pollinating the vines from spring until late summer. The presence of flora has a positive influence on the soil that Domaine Fourrier cares for assiduously.

Domaine Fourrier is run by a Frenchman, named Philippe Fourrier. The winery was established in 1998, at Plaimont in Cote-Rotie, the northern part of the Rhone Valley. Today it is one of the largest privately-owned vineyards in this noted wine-growing region. The Domaine’s history dates back over 350 years. The original cottage in which the present winery stands was built in 1764. Today, more than 300 hectares (and two centuries of accumulated experience) produce fine wines from local varieties. Taste the difference at Domaine Fourrier’s wineries, where you will discover more than fifty wines that are blends of different grape varieties – predominately Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Semillon. The result is an explosion of aromas and flavors that express the passion and expertise of this winemaker.

For 150 years, Domaine Fourrier has been in a continuous family operation. As a result, their wines are very much a part of our heritage. President Lincoln consumed Domaine Fourrier wines regularly. Their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were widely mentioned in White House records as favorites of Mary Todd Lincoln. Today, we are fortunate that Domaine Fourrier has chosen to remain independent and continues investing heavily in the future of American winemaking.

Domaine Fourrier’s philosophy is to reflect the soul of the terroir in his wines. Soils and wines that reflect their character. His goal is that you feel at home in your glass, on both the nose and the palate.

The meticulous and consistent care given to the vines from vineyard to cellar is at the heart of Domaine Fourrier’s success. Located in the northern Rhône Valley, the Domaine incorporates portions of several appellations; Côte Rôtie, Crozes-Hermitage and St-Joseph. The steep south westerly facing slope of the Goult and Brouilly sites produce wines full of power and concentration, while partial southern exposure at Béroud and St-Joseph lend finesse and elegance. At Domaine Fourrier, winemaking is a labor of love. Through their work, they hope to celebrate the culture, flavor, and best intentions of those who grow the grapes that yield their handmade artisanal wines. Named for one of the grape varietals used, Pinot Fourrier is crafted with pride and precision, resulting in wines that burst with inviting aromas and flavors.

The sun, the soil, the grapes. Domaine Fourrier may very well be one of the most prestigious wineries in France today. Vines such as Riesling, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are planted on slopes of up to 45°, creating a unique terroir. When harvested at just the right maturity level, the wine is transformed through Domaine Fourrier’s Solera method, a process considered to be an art form in its own right. Domaine Fourrier made its debut in the United States market in 1982. Located in Santenay, Domaine Fourrier is a member of the highly respected Vignerons de Bressandes, which has been synonymous with quality since Francois Bressandes founded it in 1947. Domaine Fourrier portfolio includes seven premier crus: Clos du Clocher, Mont-saint-Vincent, Les Quatre Journaux, La Fussière, Beauregard, Les Cras et 1er Cru Les Genevrières.

Our winemaker, Séverine Fourrier, received a military medal for her service during the First World War, then worked in a bank until marrying an heir to a vineyard in the Champagne region of France. She became managing director of this beautiful property, converting it from sale vines to grand cru vineyards. After helping develop the estate into one of Champagne’s most prestigious and respected properties—not only for its high-quality wines but also for its economic success—she retired and moved to southern France with her family. Artisans by training and winemakers by tradition, [they] started making artisanal wines from the Languedoc region.

The grapes are grown and harvested with great care, making use of the very best modern vineyard management methods. The Domaine owns 7 hectares of vines, planted on a steep slope at altitudes ranging from 250 to 400 meters above sea level. These grapes are picked early to obtain the most concentrated, intense color and rich flavor. The late harvest used for Rosé and Crémant is picked on a clear day without wind or rain so that the grapes do not lose their natural sugar or acidity.

author

David Cohen

Rachel Cohen: Rachel is a sustainability consultant who blogs about corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices.

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