Tucked away in France’s Loire Valley, Vouvray is a comparatively undersung white wine composed fully of chenin blanc grapes. Whereas most drinkers have expertise with dry desk wines from the world, it’s possible you’ll not understand that Vouvray additionally producers sweeter wines, in each the demi-sec and absolutely candy types, the latter akin to Sauternes. (Vouvray additionally produces glowing wines, which we’ve coated beforehand.)
At this time we have a look at current Vouvray releases — one with greater than 20 years of age on it — that span the vary of sweetness from the area.
2021 Domaine des Aubuisieres Vouvray Le Petit Clos – Fragrant, floral, and really French. Numerous fragrance up high results in zippy notes of peach and apricots, then inexperienced apple. Some citrus peel on the end, then echoes of honey. Initially a bit heavy on the flowery notes for a solo-sipper, it’s a wine that grows on you thinks to a average acidity backing all of this up, although it naturally makes for a greater companion with a meal. The honeysuckle on the end lingers with you for ages. B+ / $24
2021 Vignoble Alain Robert Vouvray Les Charmes – Extraordinarily fragrant and extremely perfumed, notes of jasmine and honeysuckle dominate in opposition to a backdrop of contemporary apples, peaches, and creamy lemon curd. The florals create shiny highlights that don’t overwhelm in fairly the best way that the Aubuisieres bottling does, with ample gravity and minerality to maintain issues grounded. Quaffable by itself however a delight with a meal that has lemons within the recipe. A- / $x
2020 Francois et Julien Pinon Depuis Vouvray Les Trois Argiles – Fairly a bit sweeter than anticipated — formally demi-sec — with a daring peach and honey high quality that borders on Sauternes. The florals of Aubuisieres are muted right here, letting these stone fruits do the heavy lifting. Peach fades into apricot, which fades right into a type of lemon curd notice. Silky and honeyed because the reasonably candy end builds… I prefer it rather a lot, however it’s a bit a lot for dinner. B+ / $34
2003 Domaine la Fontainerie Vouvray Coteau les Brules – An intense dessert wine, now 21 years previous. Once more the Sauternes analogue is appreciable and vibrant, with daring notes of honey and lemon curd in impact, evenly natural and grassy because it finishes, evoking notes of coconut husk. More and more floral because the wine warms up, it will definitely reveals off a end of toasted coconut, honey, and extra of that shiny lemon curd. Pleasant stuff. A / $54
2020 Francois et Julien Pinon Depuis Vouvray Les Trois Argiles
$34
