Vouvray Fondraux Champalou 2024

Vouvray Cuvee des Fondraux Domaine Champalou, demi-sec, soft, balanced, rich Chenin Blanc. The Vouvray Cuvée des Fondraux, a demi-sec wine with around 30 grams residual sugar, is from densely planted 50-year-old vines propitiously located on slopes of argilo-silicieux terroir. An enticing golden colour draws you to nose an exotic bouquet of lavender honey, sweet grape and marzipan; the palate reinforces this delightful impression. Chenin Blanc like this works well with many types of food; it will accompany wild salmon, white meats and various cheeses. With age, this wines turns to liquid gold and until recently we were enjoying some delicious 2004. Well worth buying half a dozen to have at the back of the cellar, you will be rewarded!

Didier and Catherine Champalou have been established in the heart of the appellation since 1983 and have acquired over 20 hectares of Chenin.

Their philosophy is simple: to create wines that respect the grape variety, the terroir and the nature of the vintage. The Champalous are registered with the Terra Vitis programme, a charter that promotes sustainable farming and respect for the environment by maintaining a good balance in the soil, the terroir and the plant and limiting chemical applications. The only permitted substances are talc and lime (calcium oxide) to combat moisture. Their wines have a rounded, tender, almost buttery texture with suggestions of apples and ripe quinces sheathed in delicate threads of honey.