B-21's B-Blog

The Power of V: Va va Vouvray

I’m over e-this, i-that, q-who and z-whatever. What about V? Now that’s a letter. Even has its own TV series (two of them), plus  Vino, Venice, Vivaldi, Veronica, Vidalias,  Velveeta…

Okay maybe V doesn’t always work, but it’s a great start to white wines worth exploring: Viognier, Vermentino, Vinho Verde, Vidal and very French Vouvray.

Vouvray is in that dreamy patch of chateau country midway along the Loire that romantics, hunters and anglers love, but wine snobs neglect. Here the noble grape is chenin blanc, and in the magic limestone caves above the river it can become dry, demi sec, doux or even mildly mousseux with bubbles.

Try the middle path in the 2008 Chateau de Valmer Vouvray ($9.99 and a double V!). This is bright gold in color aroma and taste, honeysuckle in the nose, ripe pears, pineapple and orange zest on the tongue, but not heavy, with a chalky minerality and a little acid for backbone. A wine made for seafood, salmon, mild curries and picnics.  Worth buying several to lay down. You’ll be surprised how it grows up in a few years.

Speaking of picnics, stop by the chateau and gardens on your next trip to France. It’s like visiting… Versailles.  And free.

Tags: Chris Sherman, france, vouvray, white wines