Fleurie by Domaine Lafarge-Vial

In the glass

Medium-bodiedLow tanninHigh acidityDryLong, Mineral, Burgundian In Precision finish

What it pairs with

Chicken fricassee with tarragon and cream
Precision Gamay matches classic French fricassee without tannin disruption.
Salmon gravlax
Low tannin and precise acidity work unusually well with cured salmon.
Crottin de Chavignol
Mineral, acid-driven Fleurie suits Loire-style goat cheese well.

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. Chicken fricassee with tarragon and cream, Salmon gravlax, Crottin de Chavignol. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Domaine Lafarge-Vial is a joint project between the Lafarge family of Volnay in Burgundy and the Vial family of Fleurie. The collaboration brings strict biodynamic vineyard management and Burgundy-style cellar precision to Beaujolais.

2012 — First vintage of Lafarge-Vial Fleurie joint domaine
2015 — Biodynamic certification achieved for all parcels

Facts

Producer: Domaine Lafarge-Vial
Grapes: Gamay
Classification: Fleurie AOC
Oak: Old Burgundy foudres and demi-muids, biodynamic, no filtration
ABV: 12.8%
Price: EUR 22-35 at retail
Drinking window: 3-10 from vintage
First vintage: 2012
Biodynamic: Biodynamic Practicing
Organic: ORGANIC CERTIFIED
Vegan: Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Fleurie

What does Fleurie taste like?

Structurally medium-bodied, low tannins, high acidity with a long, mineral, Burgundian in precision finish. Burgundy winemaking precision applied to Fleurie Gamay. Biodynamic farming and old Burgundy foudres produce a mineral, precise Fleurie with genuine terroir expression.

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?

Chicken fricassee with tarragon and cream is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Salmon gravlax and Crottin de Chavignol. Precision Gamay matches classic French fricassee without tannin disruption.

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