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
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
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.
Sip with blue cheese and herb souffle.
Champalou Vouvray 2014
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.