Domaine Huet winery
Since its founding in 1928, Vouvray s Domaine Huet has been the standard-bearer for great, age-worthy Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc has been identified with Vouvray since at least the 9th century, and many of its great vineyards were known by the 14th century. By those standards, the 80-year-old Huet estate is relatively young. His Haut-Lieu parcel, which lies on Vouvray s Premi re C te (or first slope ), is home to virtually all of the appellation s acknowledged grand cru vineyards. Together, they crafted legendary wines from their three parcels with the vineyards and nature dictating which grapes would become Sec, Demi-Sec, or Moelleux. A superb sparkling P tillant is also made, drawing grapes from all three vineyards, as well as from other small parcels on the estate. Le Haut-Lieu The original Huet vineyard is nearly 9 ha. It has the richest soils of the domain's three crus a deep limestone-clay and the wines are generally the estate s most approachable. Le Mont For many insiders, the argument over Vouvray s greatest vineyard comes down to two sites: Le Mont and Clos du Bourg. Undisputedly a grand cru vineyard. With less clay and more stone than Le Haut-Lieu, Le Mont yields young wines of intense minerality. With age, the wines develop great length and finesse. Clos du Bourg Gaston Huet believed this to be the greatest of all Vouvray vineyards. With the Premi re C te s shallowest, stoniest soils, its wines often synthesize Le Mont s intense minerality with Le Haut-Lieu s generous texture. Cuv e Constance Since 1989, the estate has also produced this magical, botrytized dessert wine selected from one, two or all three vineyards. When made, the Cuv e Constance (named for Gaston s mother) ranks among the world s greatest dessert wines.