“Le Haut Lieu” Demi-Sec 2017

Gaston Huet and his wife have built a reputation over the years for a winery founded in 1928 by his father, Victor Huet. Gaston, war hero and former mayor of Vouvray, ran the family winery from 1947 to 2002. He spent most of the Second World War in captivity, dreaming of a home and his beloved Vouvre. He managed to organize a wine festival in a POW camp. “It saved our mind. ... ... Talking about wine and wine itself gave us the opportunity to feel closer to home, to feel more alive. The wine was only about a thimble, but it was the best wine I have ever drank. " The entire vineyard area was given over to the often underestimated Chenin Blanc grape. The climate plays a very important role in the production of each vintage due to the fact that in warmer years, buttery-sweet wines are produced ("moëlleux" for which Oue is known and "doux" - the sweetest of all wines). The cooler climate is formed by the grapes, which are used to make the fresh sparkling wines "demi-sec", "bone-dry sec" or "pétillant". It is important to note that regardless of the level of sweetness, Chenin Blanc wines and Domaine Gaston Huet wines are characterized by freshness and natural acidity that allow them to age for centuries. Today the winery is run by Noel Pinguet, Gaston's son-in-law. Biodynamic methods of wine production have been used in all Domaine Huet vineyards since 1990. The winery owns three vineyards and each has its own unique character: "Le Haut-Lieu", "Le Clos du Bourg" and "Le Mont". The first vineyard, "Le Haut-Lieu" (literally translated "high place") is located around the winery and covers approximately nine hectares. The soil is formed by three meters of clay on the surface, and under the clay is the sedimentary limestone characteristic of the Vouvray region. The wines are rich and available at an early age, but they are true "vins de gardes" that benefit from long aging. Le Clos du Bourg, acquired by Gaston in 1953, is the oldest vineyard (first mentioned in the 8th century) in the Vouvray appellation. This vineyard is famous not only for its well-kept and ancient walls, but also for its reputation for producing amazing sweet wines. The third Musketeer, Le Mont is the most famous of the trio and is famous for its green soil and grapes, from which Gaston produced the most durable and famous wines.

Chenin Blanc may be made to any level of sweetness (from bone-dry, crisp white wine and sparkling, through to sweet wine). Often it is wines with fresh acidity and specific aromas of white flowers, honey and stone fruit.

This appellation attracts with different styles of dryness - it is possible to find bone dry as well as very sweet wines. The grape to thank for this diversity - Chenin Blanc. Wines have a golden colour with ripe apple, honey and wax notes. The sweetest samples can be aged up to 50 years.

Loire is one of the biggest regions in Northern France. This beautiful valley that stretches more than 300 km in length has been the inspiration of poetry and art throughout the ages. The dominant grapes are different in each part of Loire, and this is the only region in France that produces equally good white, red, rose, dessert and sparkling wines.