I was wandering the aisles of my local wine shop, looking for something new and exotic to try. I took this bottle off the shelf to get a better look at the label when I noticed a faint smell of peaches. I looked around – maybe someone wearing a strong perfume had walked by, but I was alone. I sniffed the bottle and the scent was stronger… was it leaking? Then I read the description someone had placed near the price sticker: “Scratch and sniff for a surprise!”
It was definitely new, but I have to wonder how successful or practical it would be as a marketing ploy. If I’m seated at home and open this wine, I don’t want to end up being distracted by the smell of the label. And it’s not impossible that someone may return the bottle to the store, demanding a refund because the wine didn’t smell exactly as advertised. But such questions aren’t for me to answer – I’m more interested in what’s inside the bottle.
The Stats
Download notes
Appearance
- Clarity: Clear
- Intensity: Pale
- Colour: Lemon
Nose
- Condition: Clean
- Intensity: Medium-
- Development: Youthful
Palate
- Sweetness: Off-Dry
- Acidity: Medium+
- Tannin: N/A
- Alcohol: Medium
- Body: Medium
- Flavor Intensity: Medium
- Finish: Medium
Conclusions
- Quality: Very Good
- Readiness/Cellaring: Can drink now, potential to cellar
- Identity: France / Vouvray / Chenin Blanc
- Price: High-priced (~$22)
Notes
- Long, thin tears
- Bright rim
- Aromas of unripe peach, unripe nectarine, apricot, white florals
- Flavours of apple, apricot, walnut, peach, nectarine, honey
- Cleansing acidity, sweetness not too cloying
- Sweetness will make it a good match for spicy foods and cheeses
The Loire Valley. Vouvray is circled.
Elaboration
Vouvray in particular is mostly known for cultivating Chenin Blanc, but it can be crafted into many different styles, from dry to lusciously sweet, from still to sparkling. Well-made Vouvray wines can have tremendous cellaring potential, slowly evolving over decades.
Vouvray lies within the Loire Valley, a massive yet often overlooked area that should really be considered as a close collection of several wine-producing regions. The climate can range from maritime to continental, markedly affecting the varietals and styles of wine that can be made. If you are looking for value for money and something different, the Loire Valley is a good place to explore. Check out my review of Muscadet for another perspective.
For this wine in particular the only element that threw me was the walnut in the flavour profile. As mentioned before Chenin Blanc can be made in a multitude of styles, and I wouldn’t put it past a creative winemaker to take advantage of malolactic fermentation to add richness and texture to the wine.
Read more: Developing A Healthy Lifestyle Around Wine
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