Medium gold color; yellow apple, peach-pear, quince, honeydew melon, lemon, minerality, honey, toasted bread on the nose and palate.
Brut; 100% chenin blanc—that is the white grape of Vouvray, a French wine region in the Loire Valley, east of the city of Tours. The commune of Vouvray produces chenin blanc almost exclusively, although the very minor grape arbois is permitted (and rarely used). Chenin blanc is a very versatile grape, producing everything from dry sparkling such as this effort to sweet wines and brandy.
This is made using the méthode traditionnelle, the same as the process used in the Champagne region. Vouvray—chenin blanc—has a natural tendency to become effervescent, so sparkling efforts are a natural. Medium body. Medium bubbles. Good acidity. Grapes hand-picked from vines 30-plus years old. No pesticides or insecticides used. Vinified in small stainless steel vats. Native yeasts. No filtration. Pure expression of sparkling chenin blanc. 12% ABV
Domaine Nicolas Brunet extends over about 40 acres in Vouvray. Nicolas Brunet is a ninth-generation winegrower. He strives to cultivate his vineyard in the traditional way. Plowing instead of weedkillers. The vineyard is in the process of 100% conversion and certification as organic. The operation only farms chenin blanc—also known as pineau blanc de la Loire. It is located on the slopes of Vouvrey overlooking the Loire River upstream from Tours.
Domaine Nicolas Brunet Vouvray Brut 2020 is traditional sparkling chenin blanc made using conservative, time-tested methods of grape growing and winemaking. There is significant attention to the vine pruning and concentrating growth to the healthiest clusters. The result is a pure, pleasing Vouvray sparkling with tasty fruit and intriguing lemony, citrus bite on the extended finish. This sparkling works best as an aperitif, but also works with desserts—black forrest, raspberry scones, lemon meringue pie. Versatile with food—almost all sparkling is such—but lobster tail would be very interesting with acidity cutting into the butter. Also sushi, white fish, baked ham, soufflés, salads, vegetarian fare, Chinese food—orange beef. Can work with salmon, swordfish, tuna. Cheese—soft goat cheese is classic; havarti, parmesan, gruyère, brie, cheddar. The good acidity means this wine will pair with almost any cheese you want to throw at it. $29
Domaine Nicolas Brunet website
