From: Vouvray, Loire Valley, France
Varietal: Chenin Blanc

Taste: In the glass, the 2018 Moelleux shows a golden hue with straw-yellow edges. The nose opens with ripe pear, yellow plum, and quince paste, followed by floral notes of honeysuckle and chamomile. Botrytis adds layers of dried apricot, ginger, and faint beeswax. On the palate, it offers flavors of golden apple, orange zest, and acacia honey. There’s a saline edge beneath the fruit, and the acidity—while less taut than in cooler vintages—still provides enough lift to carry the sweetness. The finish is long and smooth, with lingering tones of peach skin, spice, and lanolin.



Pairing: This moelleux is well suited to dishes that feature sweetness, depth, or soft, savory elements. Its richness works best with foods that offer a combination of texture and gentle fat, while its balance of sugar and acidity invites pairings beyond dessert. It works particularly well with roasted poultry dishes, such as turkey with fruit-based stuffing or chicken thighs braised with shallots and cider.

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.