Tucked away in the Touraine district of France’s Loire Valley is the 2,000-hectare Vouvray appellation. Pronounced ‘Voo-Vray’, it’s the spiritual home of chenin blanc, one of the greatest, most food-friendly white wines around…
Jovly Vouvray 2015 $22.50
I LOVE the aroma of baked granny smith apples, grilled peaches, hints of cinnamon, honeysuckle and a twang of pineapple. All of which instantly osmose onto the palate and leave a juicy, fresh, almost exfoliating texture on the finish. Generous, succulent and intensely satisfying.
Sip with: twice cooked, five spice pork belly
La Croix de Maunay Vouvray 2014 $22.50
There’s a lovely slap of tangy, natural sweetness in this apple-packed sensation. Summer flowers, ripe nectarine and homemade lemonade notes leap from the glass and it’s practically impossible to put down once you’ve had that first sip. Tropical, clean, fruit-saturated and stunning.
Sip with: blue cheese and herb soufflé
Champalou Vouvray 2014 $31
It’s the aroma of subtle spices, rain drops on hot stones and creamy stonefruit which seduces you from the get go. Yet don’t be lulled into thinking it’s going to be sweet because there’s a solid seam of acidity which slices across the palate like a samurai sword. The freshness and purity on show in this dry-ish chenin, put it in the ‘must sip’ category. Gorgeous.
Sip with: paper thin slivers of salty prosciutto
