Log in

Need help? 0800 280 2440

Basket Checkout
0 items: £0

Vouvray

See Vouvray producers See map

Based just outside Tours, in the Touraine district of the Loire, the 2,000 ha small semi-continental Vouvray appellation covers a range of dry, through off-dry, sweet to sparkling styles. Its Chenin Blanc vineyards perched above chalky `tuffeau' cliffs give the wines vibrant acidity and a stony floral, at times waxy character.

Ideally, under perfect skies, the producers aim for Moelleux sweet wines, hand-harvest by `trie', often imbued with noble rot and rich with residual sugar.

A less successful season would deliver more demi-sec, sec and, if really tough, sparkling/mousseaux. Vinification is largely in large inert vessels, such as stainless-steel, old oak foudres and demi-muids. Malolactic fermentation is avoided.