Tucked away in the Touraine district of France's Loire Valley is the 2000ha 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 on to 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.
Champalou Vouvray 2014 $31 It's the aroma of subtle spices, raindrops on hot stones and creamy stonefruit that 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 that 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.
Yvonne Lorkin is a wine retailer, wine writer and member of the Wine Writers of NZ.
