Réserve Champalou 2005

Husband and wife team Didier and Catherine Champalou met at oenology (winemaking) college in 1976. Both from winemaking families, they established their own winemaking enterprise in 1984 with a focus on quality and innovation. As 'The Wine and Food Guide to the Loire' says of them - "...applying rigorous standards they have created one of the most exciting wineries in Vouvray".

The noble Chenin Blanc is the grape here and the delimited zone of 'Vouvray AOC', is where it reaches its apotheosis. In its nobility is great versatility. It can appear in all guises - from the intensely honeyed and ageworthy, to off-dry, through to bone dry.

This Réserve' is ever-so-slightly off-dry. Subtle honeydew melon aromas, guava and melon flavours, well-poised with balanced citrus lime 'backbone'. Delicious to sip now but will gather further complexity over the next couple of years. Perfect with delicate shellfish flavours or subtle charcuterie.