Vigneau-Chevreau Abbaye de Marmoutier Clos de Rougemont Vouvray 2020

Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau’s 2020 Abbaye de Marmoutier Clos de Rougemont Vouvray provides ample evidence as to why Vouvray and the region’s illustrious Chenin Blanc are currently in vogue and why Clos de Rougemont is one of Vouvray’s brightest stars. The scion of a warm vintage, the 2020 Clos de Rougement Vouvray offers a glowing golden robe, sensuous scents, and savory flavors of baked apple, almond, quince, and dried honey. This tender Vouvray, at once round and rich yet refreshingly dry and very long on the palate, finishes with a mineral-laced delight. Afford this delightful Vouvray a few minutes of aeration to reveal its many charms before consummating it moderately chilled (40°-45° F). Anticipated maturity: 2022-2026. Salut!

Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau’s 2020 Abbaye de Marmoutier Clos de Rougemont Vouvray begs to accompany poultry, fish, shellfish, and a diversity of cuisines from around the world. Tikka Marsala Roasted Chicken with roasted cauliflower, curry, and lime makes a splendid companion, as will many mildly spicy East Indian dishes. Sushi, grilled trout, sea bass, and spicy Thai dishes also top our list of preferred pairings with the 2020 Abbaye de Marmoutier Clos de Rougemont Vouvray. Lobster and crawfish make splendid accompaniments, too. Charcuterie, melon wrapped with prosciutto, and hors d’oeuvres provide more delicious pairings. Strong cheeses provide other winning accompaniments to the Vigneau brothers’ artfully crafted Clos de Rougemont Vouvray. Even Roquefort and other blue cheeses shouldn’t overpower the charm of this exquisite wine. And, in case you were wondering, Vigneau-Chevreau’s pure, ripe 2020 Abbaye de Marmoutier Clos de Rougemont Vouvray makes a wonderful aperitif. Bon Appétit!

Long considered a noble wine and a favorite of French kings, Vouvray’s motto Je réjouis les coeurs (“I gladden the heart”) is truly taken to heart at Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau, where beautifully tended gardens and acres of pristine vines along gentle slopes facing the meandering Loire River greet the visitor. Located in the heart of the Vouvray appellation, Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau specializes in fashioning exceptional still and sparkling Chenin Blanc, Vouvray’s great claims to fame.

Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau has been in the Vigneau family since 1875 and is presently under the meticulous care of brothers Christophe and Stéphane Vigneau. The domain’s vineyards (which includes Clos de Rougemont, this month’s feature) are all certified organic by Ecocert. Christophe and Stéphane have taken organic viticulture even further by subscribing to Rudolph Steiner’s principles of biodynamic farming. Biodynamic farming involves more work, lower yields, and even stricter requirements than organic farming.

Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau cultivates several vineyards including the iconic Clos de Rougemont vineyard, which is attached to the historic Abbaye de Marmoutier, and whose vines date to the Roman period. Legend has it that Clos de Rougemont was first cultivated by St. Martin of Tours, a 4th century bishop and monk, who is also believed to have grafted the first Chenin Blanc variety from the wild grapes of the nearby Touraine forests. As part of a restoration that began in the early 1990s, the Vigneau family was granted a 50-year contract to replant and restore the celebrated 3-acre vineyard of Clos de Rougemont. Grown and produced biodynamically on limestone and clay soils, yields from this vineyard are naturally miniscule but the quality exceptional. We are happy to afford our Collectors Series members the opportunity to enjoy this rare single vineyard Vouvray.

Vouvray is the most renowned and respected appellation in Touraine, a province long known as the playground of French kings. Touraine lies at the very heart of France and occupies the central section of France’s Loire Valley. This picturesque region along the slow moving Loire River and its tributaries encompasses some of France’s oldest and most respected vineyards as well as the great Renaissance châteaux for which the region is equally famous. Wines entitled to the Vouvray appellation hail exclusively from a single grape variety – Chenin Blanc. Unlike other French appellations whose wines exemplify their diversity through a myriad of different grape varieties, Vouvray expresses itself and its many attributes with a single grape, which can be made dry (sec), semi-sweet (demi-sec), soft and lightly sparkling (moelleux), or sweet (doux). In fact, about half of the appellation’s entire production is in sparkling wine made with the same traditional method used in Champagne. Moreover, Vouvray can be enjoyed young or, in the case of the region’s finest sweet wines, aged for decades, evolving from a crisp bracing wine into a luscious potion.