Réserve Champalou 2011

If you want to try one of the Loire's finest whites, open a bottle of Vouvray. And you can't do better than this, produced by a family estate that has been piled with praise and awards since its inception in 1983. Its key grape is Chenin Blanc, a wonderfully versatile variety that's been grown here for centuries. Didier and Catherine Champalou, with 18 generations of winemaking heritage between them, in 1983 decided to buy their own estate. They started with just 1.5 hectares and over the years have increased this to 21. The vineyards lie in some of the finest terroir, each vine meticulously cared for in harmony with nature. With piercing, honeyed citrus fruit, their Réserve makes a first rate apéritif, and is even better with white meats.