From: Vouvray, Loire Valley, France
Varietal: Chenin Blanc
Taste: On the nose, it offers a bouquet redolent of well-ripened yellow fruits like peach and pear, alongside notes of exotic fruits such as pineapple and shades of citrus. The wine is full and rich on the palate, displaying remarkable volume. It evolves on a lemony freshness that complements the exotic fruit finish, displaying a balance that speaks to the wine's inherent complexity and harmony. The overall impression is a ripe yet refreshingly vibrant wine.
Pairing: Vouvray is especially flexible with food. It goes well with pork roasts, fowl, white bean stews, scallops, lobster, crab, less delicate fish and many different cheeses. Other fine pairings include poached salmon, fried chicken, fried rice balls, turkey, and fritters (corn, zucchini, you name it!). This Vouvray is on the richer end of the spectrum and can easily stand up to some spice (hence the recipe below).
Soft-Shell Crabs With Curry Butter
By David Tanis
About. In the world of wine, Chenin Blanc has undoubtedly secured its place as a versatile, complex, and highly sought-after varietal. The Marc Brédif Vouvray Classic is an excellent example of this grape's potential. This monovarietal Chenin Blanc is a product of the acclaimed AOC Vouvray region, expertly crafted by Maison Brédif, a winery with a storied history and a commitment to upholding the highest quality standards.
A History Rooted in Excellence
Maison Brédif has its roots in the end of the 19th century, founded initially as Château les Roches, one of the Loire's great wineries. The eponymous Marc Brédif, the founder's nephew, inherited the winery and rechristened it in 1919. Later, in 1980, Baron Patrick Ladoucette, a figure deeply committed to quality, acquired Maison Brédif, breathing new life into the century-old winery while maintaining its time-honored traditions.
Today, Marc Brédif continues to produce some of the finest Vouvray and Chinon wines, a testament to their dedication and commitment to preserving the historical excellence of their craft. The majestic cellars in the heart of the Touraine have bore witness to the growth and evolution of the winery since 1893, ensuring its place among the most famous Vouvray and Chinon houses.
Crafting the Classic
The creation of the Marc Brédif Vouvray Classic begins in the vineyard, where the Chenin Blanc grapes are harvested by hand to ensure their integrity and allow for a preliminary selection in the field. Grown on the lower slopes along the Loire Valley in Vouvray and Vernou-sur-Brenne, the vineyards enjoy a beneficial north/south exposure. The soil composition here is primarily chalk clay, interspersed with pockets of flint clay soils, contributing to the unique character of the wine.
The grapes then find their way to the cellar, where they are pressed, and the must is clarified over a period of 18 to 24 hours. This critical stage cleans the must before it is subjected to controlled temperature fermentation. Finally, the wine ages on lees for nine months in a tank, which endows the wine with its distinct texture and flavor profile.
The Land and its Influence
The soil in Vouvray is a blend of clay and chalk, with areas of clay and silica. This unique composition of the vineyard soil lends the wine a distinct mineral quality that sets Vouvray wines apart. Harvesting occurs early in the morning to retain the freshness of the fruit, which is then immediately pressed and fermented in stainless steel curves. This meticulous process is followed by eleven months of raising the wine on fine lees in cuve before it is finally bottled in September.
Historically, viticulture has existed in Vouvray since at least the Middle Ages, with the area receiving its AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlee) status in 1936. This acknowledgment is a testament to the unique terroir and the consistent quality of wines produced in this region. The continental climate, the shallow valleys with south-facing slopes, and the tuffeau limestone soil combine to make Vouvray an exceptional place for growing Chenin Blanc.