Winemaker Wednesday: Francis Blanchet
Today, we speak with Francis Blanchet, winemaker of Domaine Francis Blanchet in Pouilly Fumé.
Tell us about your property (how long it has been in your family, how long you have been making wine there, the size, any growing philosophy you might have):
The son of a winemaker, I have continued my family’s tradition of winemaking since the 17th century. After having obtained a degree as an agricultural technician from wine school in Beaune in 1980, I moved to my own account in 1984 and have since developed my own winery with the help of my wife and two employees. I participate in all the vineyard work and I am physically making the wine from my vines. We have a total area of 9 hectares, planted to Sauvignon Blanc entirely. Our vines are in the three principal production communes of Pouilly: Saint Andelain, Tracy/Loire and Pouilly/ Loire. The vines are planted on plateaus or on slopes facing south or west.
Our philosophy is to preserve the heritage of our ancestors: the quality and diversity of our terroir, in order to be able to pass a lasting legacy on to our children. Passion for our business encourages us to respect the tradition of the vine and its environment, while following a quality process. We combine the knowledge handed down by our ancestors techniques with developments made in our generation.
What is your favorite vintage and cuvee from your own property and why?
My favorite is the 2000 Pouilly Fumé, a balanced wine, smooth and persistent. This vintage was an exceptional year for me.
What is your favorite food and what wine would you pair it with?
Being an avid fisherman, I enjoy eating the fish I catch: a fish native to the Loire called “Silure” consumed on skewers in a spicy sauce along with my “Silice” Pouilly Fumé would be my favorite.
I also enjoy a good veal chop with fresh morels (which I collect myself along the Loire) accompanied by a “Vieilles Vignes” Pouilly Fumé.
Editor’s Note: Wines from Domaine Francis Blanchet are available to order at the following stores:
If the above stores are unable to ship to your state, we suggest using wine-searcher.com to locate a store near you that carries the wine.