After discovering the delights of Chianti it was to the Loire that my burgeoning interest in wine led next. Much fun was had working from the Atlantic coast East and inland along the 620-odd miles of the river discovering each areas predominant grape variety - Melon de Bourgogne, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay, Cabernet Franc…

There are something like 85,000 acres of vineyards within spitting distance of the Loire, many bearing names I recognised from my parents dinner table - Rosé de Anjou appeared often (remember this is the 1970’s), Vouvray too. The latter obviously appealing to the ‘oldens’ due to its sweeter nature, over, say, the minerally crispness of a Sancerre.

Searching the archives it would seem 2006 was the last time I wrote up a Vourvay; high time then to give this Waitrose exclusive a once-over.

Review0.3
Wine Tasting Note: Domaine du Vieux Vauvert, 2007, Loire, France.
Stockist: Waitrose Price: £6.99 [More on Adegga / Snooth]

Medium-Dry the shelf- barker in Waitrose proclaimed and there it is confirmed on the front label; personally I’d put it down as off-dry. Whatever. The residual sugar gives a more rounded, gentle feel to the palate.

I’ve over chilled it slightly which has deadened the aroma somewhat but the palate, smooth and rounded, as mentioned, has a long creamy pear and apple finish. While a hint of sherbet and some minerally acidity keep the mid-palate fresh, clean, tight and focused. There is an edge of orange citrus under the apple flavours with a different type of apple being apparent on the nose. Not a sign of the ‘blossom aromas’ mentioned on the label though. An easy-drinking style but a wine that just lacked a little something to really make it sing, especially at near seven quid a bottle.

Andrew BarrowScribblings Rating - 82/100 [2.75 out of 5]

Mr Hugel himself kindly arranged for samples to be dispatched so us UK wine bloggers (myself and The Wine Conversation at least) can join in the fun of next Thursdays Twitter wine tasting. So have wines, will Twitter!

Organised by a new American retailer (Bin Ends Wine) the idea is that a host of twitterer’s will taste and debate the wines in unison. Bin End Wines offers the wines at a discount I believe to those who wish to join in the fun across the States.

Also participating will be Etienne Hugel himself. Lets hope Etienne can provide some illuminating info even when limited to Twitters 140 characters per tweet!

The plan is for me to lug the wines (Hugel’s Gentil 2006 (sold in the UK as Les Fleurs d’Alsace), Pinot Blanc 2006, Gewürztraminer 2005, Riesling Jubilee 2004 and Gewürztraminer VT 2001) up to London and join Rob of The Wine Conversation for a evening of fine Alsace wine and delicious food. And the blogging/twittering too of course.

You can follow the tasting on twitter (adding such wine gurus as Wanna Be Wino, Tim of WineCast, Ryan and Gabriella of Catavino, Dale of Drinks Are On Me, and Joe of 1 Wine Dude to your list of friends. And not forgetting BinEndsWine and Etienne Hugel too).