As summer transitions into the early days of fall, I find myself craving white wines that offer a little more body in addition to plenty of refreshment. The Loire Valley's Vouvray appellation is a source of exactly this type of wine. Made from Chenin Blanc and offering a delicious mix of warm apple, spice and salt notes, this white channels an autumnal spirit.
Some wine drinkers still dismiss Vouvray, as it was once thought of as a source of lesser-quality sweet wines; but the region is reclaiming its regal status thanks to an ambitious new generation of producers crafting terroir-driven Chenin Blancs. The father-and-son team of François and Julien Pinon are definitely on that list. François took over his family’s generations-old estate three decades ago, and the Pinons now craft a range of styles, including their standout sec (meaning "dry") version.
This lineup also includes Hubert Brochard's Sancerre Château de Thauvenay Terres Blanches 2023, a medium-bodied white with melon and white cherry notes. Read on to get our score and full tasting note for this fantastic Loire Valley wine and seven others.
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