Fleurie by Domaine Julien Sunier

In the glass

Light-bodiedLow tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

What it pairs with

Turbot en papillote aux herbes
Silky, light Gamay served cool suits the delicate white fish without overpowering.
Cèpes sautés à l'ail
Earthy wild cèpe mushrooms find a fragrant counterpart in Fleurie's floral register.
Époisses jeune
Young Époisses before peak ripeness matches Fleurie's lacy structure.

How to serve Fleurie

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
Pair with. Turbot en papillote aux herbes, Cèpes sautés à l'ail, Époisses jeune. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Sunier acquired his Fleurie parcels in 2008, adding the appellation to the domaine's range. His Fleurie is vinified in the same no-sulphur, whole-cluster style as his Régnié, emphasising Gamay's perfumed, silky side.

2008 — Sunier begins farming Fleurie parcels and adds Fleurie AOC to the domaine range

Facts

Producer: Domaine Julien Sunier
Grapes: Gamay
Classification: Fleurie AOC
Oak: Old barrel élevage 10-12 months, no SO2
ABV: 13.0%
Price: €20-30 at retail
Drinking window: 3-10 from vintage
First vintage: 2008
Biodynamic: Biodynamic Practicing
Organic: ORGANIC CERTIFIED
Vegan: Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Fleurie

What does Fleurie taste like?

Structurally light-bodied, low tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Sunier's Fleurie is a study in Gamay refinement: perfumed and silky with ethereal floral character, minimal intervention and an unusually long, airy finish.

When should I drink Fleurie?

Drink 3-10 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Fleurie?

Turbot en papillote aux herbes is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Cèpes sautés à l'ail and Époisses jeune. Silky, light Gamay served cool suits the delicate white fish without overpowering.

Is Fleurie vegan?

Yes: the producer documents no animal-derived fining agents in production, so the wine is suitable for vegan and vegetarian drinkers.

What grapes are in Fleurie?

The blend is Gamay. The wine is classified as Fleurie AOC.

Fleurie