What is Fume Blanc? Find out Now!

Fume is a French word meaning a smoke-like vapor or substance. It makes many people think of Pouilly-Fume, the famous Loire Valley wine and region.

Robert Mondovi coined the name Fume Blanc in the 1960s. He decided to differentiate his Sauvignon Blanc by aging it in oak. He believed the toasted oak barrels gave the wine a smokey character, thus the term Fume was used. However, United States wine law does not differentiate Sauvignon Blanc and Fume Blanc. Therefore, you can buy a non-oaked Fume Blanc.

Although the wine's popularity has declined in the United States, Mondovi still makes it using the same 1945-planted vines. These vines are believed to be the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines in the United States.

Tonight, we are enjoying two California Zinfandels including:

1. 2023 Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc. This wine was purchase from Costco for $10.99. Comes from the North Coast region of California. 70% came from stainless steel tanks and 30% from older French oak barrels. It has aromas of pineapple, mango, peach, lemon grass, and lychee. Flavors of ripe fruit and crisp citrus, yellow peach, apricot, pear, lime zest, and lemon. Crisp with a subtle oak character.

We both gave this a 4 out of 5 rating and would buy again.

Next week we will compare a Rhone GSM blend versus a California (Rhone blend).

1. 2019 Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit purchased at Costco for $13.
2. 2018 Skylark Wine Company Red Belly Rhone Blend. This wine was purchased from Wine Styles for $17.