Marc Brédif 2019 Vouvray Classic

£12.45
Tasting notes
The wine is a brilliant pale gold. On the nose, there is a fine bouquet full of the aromas of white flowers and yellow fruit such as pears. On the palate a lovely vivacity with hints of grapefruit on the lingering finish. Ideal with shell fish and as an aperitif.

Why we recommend this wine
We visited Bredif when we were in the Loire valley a while back - see our notes here. We were impressed with this classic, slightly off-dry, chenin blanc. It is a lovely wine, ripe and refreshing; a really great alternative to Sauvignon or Chardonnay and drier than most Vouvray.

The wine
Grown on the lower slopes along the Loire Valley in Vouvray and Vernou-sur-Brenne, the grapes for the Marc Brédif Vouvray enjoy Northern/Southern exposure. The vineyards have soils of mainly chalk clay, with some parcels having flint clay soils. The vineyards are 25-30 years old on average. The "Classic" on the label denotes this as Marc Brédif's traditional Vouvray.
The grapes are hand-picked with care to avoid bruising. They then undergo pneumatic pressing. Only the juice that runs naturally from the grapes is used (i.e. not pressed juice), which is left to clarify for 18 to 24 hours. Temperature controlled fermentation at 18 degrees C takes place for two months. The wine is left to mature in vats for 9 months on lees.

The wine estate
Founded in 1893 by Mr. Brédif the Brédif domaine is one of the best known and most respected in the area. Baron Patrick de Ladoucette, who owns about a dozen domaines in Loire, Burgundy and Champagne, took over the winery in 1980.
deladoucette.net

Food and wine
Great to accompany white meats, crustaceans, and fish. Also a great cheese wine – soft cows’ and goats’. Also see our guide to pairing food and wine here.

Did you know?
The domaine has troglodyte wine cellars dug in the tufa from the 10th century.