Fleurie by Domaine Yvon Metras

In the glass

Medium-bodiedLow tanninHigh acidityDryLong, Perfumed, Floral finish

What it pairs with

Roast quail with thyme and garlic
Delicate game bird complements the floral, perfumed Fleurie without competition.
Carpaccio of beef with olive oil and capers
The light tannin and high acid work beautifully with raw beef preparations.
Grilled salmon with fennel
Fleurie's low tannin and floral register is one of the rare reds suited to salmon.

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. Roast quail with thyme and garlic, Carpaccio of beef with olive oil and capers, Grilled salmon with fennel. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Yvon Metras farms a handful of hectares of Fleurie with an uncompromising natural approach: zero sulfur, old vines, wild yeast. Production is small and demand exceeds supply.

1988 — First Metras Fleurie from old granite-soil parcels
2005 — Domaine fully converted to organic with no SO2 added at any stage

Facts

Producer: Domaine Yvon Metras
Grapes: Gamay
Classification: Fleurie AOC
Oak: Old large oak foudres, natural yeast, no added sulfur
ABV: 12.8%
Price: EUR 28-45 at retail
Drinking window: 3-10 from vintage
First vintage: 1988
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, perfumed, floral finish. Natural Fleurie from Yvon Metras, with the appellation's signature pink granite-driven floral perfume. Zero sulfur and whole-cluster produce remarkable aromatic transparency.

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?

Roast quail with thyme and garlic is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Carpaccio of beef with olive oil and capers and Grilled salmon with fennel. Delicate game bird complements the floral, perfumed Fleurie without competition.

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