Wines Vouvray Domaine Huet Le Hautlieu Moëlleux - Moelleux Premiere Trie Haut Lieu - 2022

Domaine Huet Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux Première Trie 2022 is an outstanding white wine crafted primarily from Chenin Blanc, a grape renowned for its versatility and expressive character. The 2022 vintage benefited from ideal ripening conditions, allowing the berries selected for this cuvée "Première Trie" to reach optimal concentration and botrytisation, resulting in the luscious, sweet complexity for which Huet is famed. The Le Haut-Lieu vineyard, first purchased by Gaston Huet in 1928, is celebrated for its deep, rich clay-limestone soils which lend both structure and elegance to its wines, while biodynamic viticulture ensures an authentic, vibrant expression of terroir. In this moelleux style, vinification favours gentle pressing and fermentation in both wooden vats and stainless steel, allowing the natural sugar and acidity balance of the Chenin to shine through.

Vouvray lies in the heart of the central Loire, just east of Tours, in an area shaped by the gentle undulations of the Loire river valley. The temperate, semi-continental climate is particularly conducive to the slow, even ripening of Chenin Blanc, fostering both acidity and the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) in optimal years, which is essential for moelleux styles. The tuffeau limestone subsoil is not only perfect for vine cultivation but also for the labyrinthine cellars that dot the region. Vouvray’s winemaking history dates to the Middle Ages, but it gained international acclaim in the 20th century thanks in large part to pioneering estates like Domaine Huet.

Thanks to its generous sweetness balanced by vibrant acidity, Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux Première Trie 2022 pairs beautifully with foie gras, blue cheeses like Roquefort, desserts based on orchard fruits, or even spicy Asian cuisine. For a truly regional match, try it with tarte Tatin or rillons de Touraine.

Serve well-chilled but not icy, ideally at 8-10°C to allow the full array of floral and honeyed aromas to unfold in the glass. Patience will be rewarded—this wine will evolve beautifully over decades if you choose to cellar it.