Is Saint-Véran just a cheaper Pouilly-Fuissé?

Not quite. Both are Chardonnay from the same corner of southern Burgundy, right next door to each other. Saint-Véran is usually lighter and fresher and costs less, but a good one is a wine in its own right, not a lesser copy.

Neighbours, not twins

Saint-Véran and Pouilly-Fuissé are both in the Mâconnais, the southern end of Burgundy, and both are made from Chardonnay. Saint-Véran's vineyards lie on either side of Pouilly-Fuissé's, on similar clay and chalk.

The difference is less about the grape and more about the ground and how the wine is made. Pouilly-Fuissé is often richer and is more often aged in oak. Saint-Véran tends to be brighter and more direct, which is exactly what makes it good value.

An example: Domaine Nadine Ferrand 2025

The wine in this Ask EDKA episode comes from Domaine Ferrand, which sits in the heart of Pouilly-Fuissé. Nadine Ferrand has run it since 1984, joined in 2012 by her daughter Marine, the fourth generation.

Their Saint-Véran vines stand above the village of Solutré-Pouilly, at 250 to 300 metres, and average fifty years old, rooted in clay and chalk. The grapes are picked by hand and fermented with wild yeast in stainless steel. There is no oak at all, so the fruit and the vineyard carry the wine. The estate holds the top level of France's HVE environmental certification.

What it tastes like

Juicy pear and zesty lemon with a twist of pineapple, a creamy, gently textured palate and a fresh, clean finish. Medium-bodied and 13.5% alcohol.

Serve at 10 to 12°C, with grilled sea bass, roast chicken, a goat's cheese salad or a mushroom risotto. Drink it over the next three years; no decanting needed. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Want to try it?

See Saint-Véran, Domaine Nadine Ferrand 2025.

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