Vouvray – Many Faces of Grace

Vouvray is one of my all time favourites of Loire white wines. Vouvray is a relatively a tiny appellation in the Loire.  The varietal responsible for Vouvray is Chenin Blanc.  It has many faces.  The wine can be dry, semi dry, sweet, or sparkling.  Vouvray, in the hands and minds of a caring vigneron or vigneronne, is matched by no other wines that I know.

One of the most compelling Vouvray discoveries for me is the sparkling from Catherine andPierre Breton ‘Pétillant Methode Traditionelle Non-Vintage (NV)’.  It is NV because the sparkler follows the traditions of Champagne.  In this case, about equal portions from two vintages are blended and aged on its lees for about three years before the wine is disgorged.  This extended time of lees-aging gives this wine unexpected complexity in uncommon hours. The wine ages gracefully and worth keeping a few bottles in your cellar.

At our home, we celebrate Catherine and Pierre Breton ‘Pétillant Method Traditionelle Non-Vintage (NV)’ with all types of seafood: fresh oysters, pan-fried sole or mussels. The most compelling match is with sushi.  Or during summer weather, I would like to simply sit on the patio and drink Catherine and Pierre Breton ‘Pétillant Method Traditionelle Non-Vintage (NV)’ with some artisanal cheeses and juicy heirloom tomatoes.