VOUVRAY DEMI-SEC DOMAINE DU CLOS NAUDIN - 2002

Today is Wine Blog Wednesday, a day for wine blogs to collectively write about a particular varietal, getting the word out on new wines and opening up the taste buds of the universe. The mission, which I have chosen to accept, was to find a white wine that is NOT Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling. Chenin Blanc was the first white that came to mind and there isn't a better place on the planet to go looking for this grape than Vouvray.

Vouvray is a wine, a region and a grape. Just east of the city of Tours in the Loire Valley in France, lies the town of Vouvray. It is best known for producing the grape, Vouvray which is used to make Vouvray wine (named after the town).

Vouvray is 100% Chenin Blanc. The Chenin Blanc grapes that are grown here can be very fruity or mineral-like depending on the clay soil or terroir they are grown in. Some Vouvrays are very sweet while others can lean toward being more dry. In the best vintages, when grapes are the sweetest, they can be made into some of the finest dessert wines.

TASTING NOTES:

This honey scented wine is a clean, crisp, semi-sweet delight highlighted by citrus, pineapple, and a tinge of minerals. There is also a slight hint of petroleum on the finish and some quirky acidity on the back palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS
Excellent. If you haven't tasted Chenin Blanc or Vouvray, I highly recommend trying a bottle. The crisp sweetness is very different than Sauvignon Blanc or Reisling. Chenin Blanc has its own character, a nervy, bold one that will surprise you when you taste it. This bottle retails for around $25, but you can find many lower priced Chenin Blanc wines from California. Click to explore wines from the Loire Valley.