Vouvray

Vouvray is the largest white wine appellation in the Anjou-Saumur-Touraine region, producing Chenin Blanc wines in a range of styles from dry and sparkling to sweet dessert wines.

 

Vineyard

Location: Vouvray begins at the eastern edge of Tours and extends through seven communes on the right bank of the Loire and along its tributary, the Brenne.

Surface Area:

• At 2,200 hectares/ 5,436 acres

Soil: White Turonian chalk on the hillsides, with perruche (flint and clay) and aubuis (chalk and clay) on the valley floor.

Climate: The maritime and continental climates meet in Vouvray. Generally cool weather with sunny autumns helps ripen the grapes and allow for sweet wine production.

 

Wine

Annual Production:

• Approximately 3 million gallons, 52% sparkling wine and 48% still wine

Grape Variety:

• Chenin Blanc

Growing/Production Practices: Density 6,600 vines/ha with low fan pruning.

 

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Color ranges from straw yellow for sparkling wines to golden amber for mature sweet wines.
• Nose: Young Vouvray often reveals notes of rose, quince and acacia. As it evolves, Vouvray displays aromas of apricot, candied fruit and honey.
• Flavor: The wines are always fresh yet can range from full to opulent depending on sweetness.

 

Styles and Residual Sugar Content:

Sec (Dry): less than 9 grams of residual Sugar

Tendre, Demi-Sec(off dry): 9-15 grams of residual sugar. This is the classic Vouvray style and does not require label designation

Moelleux (Sweet): above 15 grams of residual sugar, often considerably more

 

Food Pairings

• Serve Sparkling Vouvray with sushi, charcuterie or fried chicken
• Dry Vouvray complements simple white fish dishes, soufflés or other baked egg recipes and vegetable stir-fry
• Off-Dry Vouvray is a perfect foil for crab, lobster, pork belly and spicy Indian curries and Tandoori
• Pair Sweet Vouvray with a tarte tatin or other baked apple dessert.