Description
VOUVRAY INSOLENT – Sparkling organic wine from France’s Loire Valley
Grape variety: Chenin Blanc 100%
The wine story
Vouvray is usually a quiet dry white wine which can be sweet only in some years when autumn remains warm, and the picking can be late. After the first world war, a winemaker from Champagne introduced sparkling wine in the traditional method here. Now more and more sparkling wine is produced to meet the increasing demand.
The vines grow on clay, limestone and flint on a chalky subsoil called tuffeau. The grapes are pressed gently and fermented at low temperature. After a selection of the best juices, there is a second fermentation in the bottle, which creates very fine bubbles. Finally, the bottles rest in caves for at least 18 months. The wine is crystal clear with golden hues. L’ Insolent is a special organic cuvée made by a young female wine maker.
Favorite Pairing
This sparkling wine can be enjoyed from aperitifs to dessert in addition to pike-perch and white butter, scampi, tempura, fish curry, fried chicken and fresh goat cheese. It also pairs with chocolate cake, fruit tarts and fruit salad.
The Region
Vouvray is on the right bank overlooking the Loire river, east of Tours. Vine growing began in 372 in an abbey founded by Saint Martin, bishop of Tours. The local white stone called tuffeau was used to build beautiful Châteaux, houses, and farms in the region. Cutters quarried the stone from cliffsides creating large caves under the vineyards. These caves are excellent wine cellars, wineries, mushroom farms, and even picturesque troglodyte dwellings.
Aroma
Pear and green apple.
Flavor
Creamy bubbles, notes of toast, quince, acacia bloom with a mineral finish.
