Brut, Champalou

Vouvray [‘voo-vray’] is a white wine made with Chenin Blanc grapes that grow along the banks of the Loire River in the Touraine district of France.

The Champalou Vouvray Brut is fresh, delicate, and refined. This extra-brut blend of three vintages comes from Chenin Blanc vines that average 45 years of age. A compelling nose of toast, cream, quince, and stony minerality all but belies the succulence of the round entry, combining bright mango and baked apple that evolve in the mouth toward more savory, streamlined herb- flecked lemon and almond.

The grapes for the Vouvray Brut are picked at maturity, and early in the morning to best respect the quality of the fruit. The must is then fermented in stainless steel and the wine is raised on fine lees before bottling. A second natural fermentation takes place once the wine is in bottle that gives its effervescence. The bottles are aged sur lattes for two years before disgorgement.