2023 Pichot Clos Berger Vouvray Demi-Sec, Loire Valley

Pichot Clos Berger Vouvray Demi Sec is a beautiful expression of Chenin Blanc from the heart of the Loire Valley, showing how this grape can balance richness, freshness and gentle sweetness with real elegance. The Clos Berger vineyard sits on the limestone and clay slopes of Vouvray, where cool nights and long growing seasons allow Chenin to develop deep flavour while retaining its vibrant acidity. These tuffeau limestone soils are the secret behind the wine’s mineral drive and remarkable ability to age.

Domaine Pichot is a small, family run estate that has been farming these vineyards for generations, working with a strong respect for the land and traditional methods. Their wines are all about purity and site, and Clos Berger is one of their most prized parcels, producing fruit with both concentration and finesse.

In the glass, the wine shows ripe pear, baked apple and quince, layered with honey, white flowers and a subtle chalky note. The palate is gently sweet but beautifully balanced by bright, mouthwatering acidity, giving a fresh, lifted finish rather than anything cloying. It feels rich and comforting, yet light on its feet.

This is a wonderful wine for food. Spicy Asian dishes, pork with apple, roast chicken, blue cheese or creamy desserts all work beautifully with its combination of sweetness and acidity. It is also lovely on its own as a contemplative glass.

Pichot Clos Berger Vouvray Demi Sec can be enjoyed young for its vibrant fruit, but it will also age gracefully for ten to twenty years, gaining honeyed, nutty and complex savoury notes over time. It is a classic Loire Chenin and a perfect example of why Vouvray is one of the world’s great white wine regions..