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In Burgundy, at the end of November, four locations were elevated to Premier Crus by the French Appellations Institute INAO. These include two appellations in the Mâconnais. The new 7.09-hectare Premier Cru location in Pouilly-Loché is called "Pouilly-Loché Premier Cru Les Mûres." The Pouilly-Vinzelles Premiers Crus AOC receives three Premier Cru locations: "Les Longeays" with 7.50 hectares, "Les Pétaux" with 2.76 hectares, and "Les Quarts" with 12.45 hectares.
The preparatory work for this step began as early as 2006, as reported by the Burgundy Interprofessional Committee (BIVB). Detailed geological studies were conducted, and the historical significance of the parcels was researched. The originally classified location of Pouilly-Loché in 1940, located five kilometers southwest of Mâcon, encompasses 33 hectares with clay-limestone terroir. Many of its vineyards overlap with those of the neighboring AOC Pouilly-Vinzelles, which spans 52 hectares. Both appellations are exclusively planted with Chardonnay.
The elevation to Premier Cru status also means stricter requirements for the winemakers. Yields are limited to 58 hectoliters per hectare (60 hectoliters per hectare for AOC wines). The wines must have at least 12% alcohol content instead of the previous 11%. The grapes are hand-harvested. Additionally, for the first time, the use of herbicides for Premier Crus in Burgundy is prohibited. The wines from the 2024 vintage may carry the new Premier Cru designations and cannot be sold before July 1 of the year following the harvest.
(al / Source: drinksbusiness)