Dom. de la Rouletiere Vouvray Demi-Sec 1998

Jean-Marc Gilet, a fifth-generation winemaker in perhaps the Loire Valley’s most famous appellation, owns Domaine de la Rouletiere. Jean-Marc organically farms 17 hectares of vines and ages the production in an underground cellar carved out of the slope’s chalky limestone. First up in his range are two excellent value sparkling wines that most would note as specialties of the domaine. The Vouvray Brut Traditionnelle is made with pure Chenin Blanc and aged 24 months on its lees. It shows notes of citrus and honey, along with hints of spice and brioche. The palate has a creamy texture, with chalky Chenin notes and a crisp finish. The Touraine Brut Rosé is fashioned with pure Pinot Noir and aged for 18 months on its lees. This bubbly shows classy notes of tiny red fruit, a dry finish and is a great value! The Vouvray Sec Silex 2020 (with a classy new label) comes from parcels containing large amounts of flint and is aged in stainless steel. This wine shows fresh apple and warm spice notes with supportive underlying minerality. A good choice with broiled fish, pork loin or soft rind cheeses like brie.