Romuald Valot Pouilly Fuisse La Frerie Premier Cru 2023

If you’ve tasted any of the Romuald Valot wines we’ve featured before – you know this is a producer to scoop up in hoards! 93 points for Premier Cru White Burgundy from the renowned Pouilly Fuisse... at our fantastic price of under $35? I can’t think of a better bargain or choice for your Turkey Day white wine!

Romuald Valot is undoubtedly one of the best off-the-radar finds in Burgundy today, and this Premier Cru vineyard of La Frerie is set in the heart of the Pouilly Fuisse appellation. To have both in a single botting, at the exceptional price you can only find here at First Bottle – makes this an offer that will surely disappear quickly.

Romuald was born the son of a vigneron in a long line of vignerons that came before, all focused on Burgundy. And yet, growing up – working for the big houses of Burgundy, in those famed Grand Cru vineyards – he turned away from wine after becoming jaded with what went on behind the scenes... the manipulation, the chemical treatments, the fining and filtering, and so on. His vision of the “one man and a field” approach utilized by his ancestors had been replaced by a barrage of commercial farming practices – and the notion of terroir was lost in his mind. He couldn’t afford to buy his own parcel, which meant he couldn’t make the wines he wanted. So he packed up and moved to Beaujolais – where the dream he envisioned could still be sought. His status grew, wine by wine, plot by plot – becoming revered as a vigneron with a knack for capturing the spirit of his vines in liquid form. As his following grew, and his business stabilized – he began planning his return to Burgundy.

Like the prodigal son, he has returned, and carefully selecting vineyards with pedigree and character is his renewed focus. His vision of showcasing the very best expressions of the land – farming them organically with great care – has led to wines worthy of greater discussion. And more frequent sipping – as we fully intend to do here!

La Frerie is one of 22 Premier Cru vineyards in Pouilly Fuisse – set on a classic southeast-facing slope surrounded by the Premier Cru sites of Au Vignerais and En Servy. With the incredible growing season of 2023, this particular beauty is stunningly fresh, bright, and mineral-driven, and loaded with ample floral notes of peonies and chamomile, alongside Bosc pears, roasted almonds, lemon peel, slate, and dried sage. It’s highly drinkable and delivers far above its price point! This is easily a wine to pour on Thanksgiving as much as you could happily pop one on any given day of the week. For the price, you might as well get enough for both pursuits. I know I am!

PAIRING IDEAS: Dare I say, turkey, cranberries, mashed potatoes, et al? This is the prime choice for a white wine on your Thanksgiving table!