Vouvray Pétillant Brut blanc 1997

Wine Description for Vouvray Pétillant Brut blanc 1997 by Huet

Colour & Appearance

Luminous, pure gold with a subtle, fine-beaded mousse – the perlage is restrained, almost meditative, and underscores the mature character of this extraordinary sparkling wine.

Nose

Here reveals itself the full complexity of a mature Chenin Blanc: dried fruit – apricot and plum – mingles with earthy notes of sugar beet, candied carrots and an almost vegetable sweetness. To these are added tobacco, leather, roasted hazelnuts and a fascinating cellar atmosphere reminiscent of damp stone and old wood. An aromatic profile that perfectly balances maturity and elegance.

Palate

The gently tickling perlage carries the wine softly across the palate, yet behind it lies immense depth. This is no simple sparkling wine, but a multi-layered, age-worthy Chenin with impressive phenolic structure. The acidity – that silken thread which defines great Loire wines – holds everything together and lends the wine, despite its 25 years, remarkable freshness. Density, concentration and an almost saline minerality make it a unique specimen.

Finish

Long, precise and carried by vibrant energy. The acidity lingers, accompanied by nutty and fruity echoes – a finale that invites contemplation.

Terroir & Origin

The Domaine Huet in Vouvray ranks among the legendary addresses of the Loire. Its Chenin Blancs, whether still or sparkling, hail from limestone slopes with flint and clay – terroirs that guarantee longevity and minerality. Farmed biodynamically long before it became fashionable.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Chenin Blanc, traditionally vinified and with natural bottle fermentation. The 1997 vintage produced ripe, concentrated grapes – ideal for a sparkling wine with ageing potential.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pan-fried skate wing with olive-walnut tapenade, char from a clay pot with mushroom filling or braised turnip greens with quail egg and truffle jus – this wine demands thoughtful, earthy cuisine with depth.

Special Features

A Pétillant Brut with a quarter-century under its belt – rare, extravagant and proof that great Chenin Blanc can age in any form.