From: Vouvray, Loire Valley, France
Varietal: Chenin Blanc
Taste: In the glass, the wine shows a rich golden hue with amber reflections. The nose opens with ripe stone fruit, baked quince, and acacia honey, followed by dried fig, orange marmalade, and subtle notes of spice and lanolin. On the palate, the wine is lush and mouth-coating, with layered flavors of apricot preserves, poached pear, and pineapple tart. The sweetness is generous but tempered by moderate acidity and a light mineral edge that runs beneath the fruit. As it opens, more complex notes of chamomile tea, saffron, and beeswax emerge. The finish is long, rounded, and honeyed, with a warm, vintage character evident in its depth and softness.
Pairing: This mousse from the heat-driven 2003 vintage is well-suited to dishes with richness, depth, or subtle sweetness, especially those that feature earthy or spiced elements. The wine’s lower acidity (relative to cooler years) and complete texture call for ingredients that offer savory richness, gentle fat, or umami
About: Domaine Huet is based in the town of Vouvray in France’s Loire Valley and has been one of the region's key names since its founding in 1928. The domaine was founded by Victor Huet and his son, Gaston, who returned from World War I with the idea of turning to wine for a more stable life. Gaston took over running the domaine early on and remained involved until he died in 2002. He was also the mayor of Vouvray for many years and helped shape local wine laws and standards after World War II.
The estate focuses entirely on Chenin Blanc and works only within the Vouvray AOC. It’s best known for wines that age well and clearly show differences between vintages and vineyard sites. Domaine Huet produces wines in four styles: dry (sec), off-dry (demi-sec), sweet (moelleux), and sparkling (pétillant), all from their estate-owned vineyards.