Clos du Bourg demi-sec 2022

Wine description for Clos du Bourg demi-sec 2022 by Huet

Colour & appearance

Medium straw yellow with a fine sheen, already dense and inviting in the glass.

Nose

Juicy, creamy and silky: ripe apples, partly crisp, partly soft, alongside pears and quinces. A slightly tart note of kumquats brings tension, while white blossoms and a hint of smoke complete the picture.

Palate

A full, rounded opening with abundant yellow fruit of apple and pear. The juiciness is tremendous, carried by a broad arc of acidity that effortlessly balances the 18 grams of residual sugar. A rare combination of depth and lightness.

Finish

Long, deep and promising – this wine will continue to unfold over the years, yet it is already hard to resist today.

Terroir & origin

The Clos du Bourg lies above the church in Vouvray, enclosed by an old stone wall. The six hectares rest on Turonian tuffeau limestone, which the vines reach after just one metre; the shallow clay soil with flint and chalk inclusions ranks among France’s oldest grand cru plots, first documented in the 7th century. Gaston Huet considered this site to be Vouvray’s greatest vineyard.

Grape variety & vinification

Pure Chenin Blanc. The 2022 harvest began on 8 September – the second earliest date in the estate’s history – and stretched over six weeks. Meticulous sorting was carried out in numerous passes, followed by spontaneous fermentation and ageing in used demi-muids; malolactic fermentation occurred only exceptionally in individual casks.

Food recommendations

Salmon with za’atar and tahini, Ceviche de Aguaymanto or a tart with Roquefort and goat’s cheese – the gentle sweetness and vibrant acidity of this demi-sec embrace salty, spicy and tangy notes alike.

Special features

Domaine Huet has been Demeter-certified since 1993 and is regarded as a pioneer of biodynamics in the Loire Valley. Cellar master Benjamin Joliveau, a native of Vouvray, has been guiding the estate’s legacy with a steady hand since 2020. The 2022 Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec shows why: fruit and acidity in perfect balance, minerality from limestone and clay, a wine that will be even better in ten years’ time – and finer still in thirty.