Vouvray

 Vouvray's 2,000 hectares of vines produce 120,000 hectolitres a year, of which 65% are fine bubbles and 35% still Vouvray wines. The vineyards cover stony hillsides on tuffeau bedrock (white Turonian chalk), intersected by confluent valleys, and covered with "perruche" (flinty clays that give the wine its mineral character) and "aubuis" (clay-limestone soils that give the wine its sweetness). Bordering confluent valleys, the soils warm up rapidly under the oceanic influence that penetrates right to the heart of the vineyard. Sunny autumns encourage over-ripening and even noble rot. Obtaining tender (semi-dry), sweet or syrupy wines depends on climatic variability: the vintage effect is decisive. What's more, every year we produce great dry Vouvray wines. Domaine de la Taille aux Loups, Domaine Huet, Domaine François Chidaine, Clos Naudin and Domaine Vincent Carême have all mastered the art of working with terroir. 

Whether they are dry, soft, mellow or fine bubbles, depending on their residual sugar content and effervescence, these wines are the perfect choice for any occasion. Vouvray white wines are exceptionally diverse. Made exclusively from Chenin Blanc (Pineau de Loire) grapes, they are always flattering in their youth, with notes of acacia, rose, citrus and brioche for the fine bubbles, evolving to candied and stewed notes of apricot, quince and above all floral honey. Depending on their mellowness, the wines are full-bodied or opulent, but always with great freshness. Dry whites are rich and distinctive. The long life of Vouvray wines (10 to 40 years) is supported by the perfect preservation conditions (temperature and hygrometry) of the deep cellars dug into the chalk of the hillsides.

Vouvray, an excellent Loire Valley wine

Between west of Nantes and east of Sancerre lies the Loire Valley and the 3rd largest wine-growing region, called Vouvray. 70,000 hectares of vineyards in the Centre, Touraine, Anjou and Nantais regions produce white, red, rosé, sparkling and still wines. Vouvray wine covers 8 communes and 3,000 hectares, of which 2,200 are in production. The vineyards can be seen on plateaus and hillsides overlooking the Brenne and Loire valleys. The cellars are nestled in the Tuffeau stone.

100% Chenin Vouvray

100% Chenin is a highly prized grape variety that gives the Vouvray white wine. The vines grow in a temperate climate until the grapes are mature, and their sugar content and acidity give this Vouvray a perfect balance. This Vouvray wine is vinified into fine bubbles once the noble rot, or botrytis, has allowed the aroma-rich grapes to be picked. When the vinification period is over, this Sweet Vouvray is then consumed with many delicious dishes and is the perfect accompaniment to desserts or foie gras.

Method of vinification of Chenin de Vouvray wine

The fruity Vouvray Chenin Blanc wine contains fine bubbles. This effervescence is obtained using a traditional method known as the "Méthode Champenoise". The wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle, known as prise de mousse. A natural gas is produced during fermentation, which mixes with the wine to produce the fine bubbles. Maturation lasts twelve months on laths in the Tuffeau cellars. This Sparkling Vouvray is different from other fine bubbly wines in that its effervescence is lighter. It is classified as A.O.P. and is available in bottles of Vouvray brutsemi-dry, dry or mellow.

Quiet Vouvray

This still Vouvray is so named in contrast to the fine-bubble Vouvray. It is produced from the first natural fermentation of grape juice. Vouvray tranquille is made from Chenin Blanc grapes grown in clay-limestone soil in a temperate climate. The grapes are harvested when the weather is dry and sunny, to limit the risk of disease and rot. Vouvray Tranquille wine can be dry, semi-dry, sweet or even a Vouvray moelleux when its sugar content reaches or exceeds 60 g of sugar, which can go up to more than 100 g per liter. 

A visit to the Tuffeau cellars of Vouvray is not to be missed. A tasting of these nectars is also an experience rich in scents and flavors. And why not take home a few bottles of Vouvray moelleux to accompany a festive dish or a worthy dessert, or a dry or off-dry Vouvray white wine to go with a fish dish?