Week 2 for my CSW class started of with a beautiful bang! Vouvray! (Vooo-Vray)
Vouvray is an appellation from the Loire Valley and is 100% Chenin Blanc grapes. This white grape can be found in many styles including still and sparkling wines, ranging from dry to sweet. These styles are impacted not only by the growing season, but also geography. A versatile grape that can handle different climates and terroirs extremely well, with wonderfully unique outputs!
I chose Domain Vigneau-Chevreau Vouvray for my tasting and boy did I pick right.
This producer uses some pretty exciting growing practices which make it only one of two organic vineyards in all of Vouvray. The terroir of is flinty, imparting minerality into the wine. Tasting notes on www.cynthiahurley.com describe the wine as having obvious minerality with apple and citrus aromas. Find out more here!
This wine received 95 points from Jane Anson's top fine wines of 2019! You can imagine how excited I was to have picked this bottle!
Tasting Notes from the Wandering Vine:
I loved this wine! At first, while it was fresh out of the cooler, it reminded me a bit of a Sauv Blanc with citrusy notes and that awesome acid punch. As the wine warmed slightly, the true aromas came out and I was excited to pick up some honey on the nose as well as other hints of floral.
Suggested Pairing
Vouvray can be paired with a variety of dishes, depending on the style you have selected. Dry Vouvray pairs great with Thai food, while sweeter styles will be delicious with dessert.
Tonight, I paired with a vegan pizza and a dash of hot sauce. I had planned on something a bit more elegant but the easy button won out. The good news is...pizza pairs with everything! (even if it doesn't) This dry Chenin Blanc was so delicious that even pairing with a good Netflix binge is good!
Fun Facts about Chenin Blanc:
Chenin Blanc can be found all over the world, with the most plantings in South Africa and France. #26 on the list of most planted grapes.
In South Africa it is the most widely planted white grape and is locally known as Steen.
Chenin blanc was found to be identical to a Spanish grape called Agudelo. A shocking discovery for the Spanish and French alike!
This grape is a half sibling of Sauvignon Blanc.
Vouvray is one of the coolest parts of the Loire and harvest can go well into November to ensure the grapes ripen! If the Loire has a particularly cool growing season, you might find more sparkling Vouvray than still.
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