Sometimes, only sometimes…

We fall in love with an otherwise completely indistinct bottle and can’t explain why.

Then comes a plethora of reasoning to talk ourselves out of buying it all. We tried really hard with this one; alas, no Jedi mind trick was strong enough to leave a bottle behind.

If you’re not familiar with it, Vouvray is to Chenin Blanc what Chablis is to Chardonnay, a benchmark the rest of the world looks up to. And Chenin Blanc? When it’s balanced like a prime Vouvray between some sweet fruitiness against the bright acidity carried by the Loire via the cool Atlantic breezeway, there is no comparison. Like biting into a Cosmic Crisp apple, this wine is wonderfully crunchy and utterly crushable at 11% alcohol. Honestly, we’re piling up by the case and keeping 3-4 in the fridge all summer long.

For $17, in fact, we challenge you to find a better poolside quaffer. Go ahead and post a photo of what you think beats this wine, and we’ll add a bottle to your locker!

The Drinks Business knows what’s up, “Even if those in the know associate Vouvray with fine wine, in the town itself it is part of the ‘art de vivre’ – the way of life. Well into the night, you will likely find winemakers sat around tables laden with rillettes de Touraine and other local specialties, glasses of Vouvray in hand. With such a variety of styles made, they find wine for every moment and every conversation. Indeed, for its winemakers, Vouvray is simply part of the fabric of everyday living. Much as tradition dictates one should be grateful for le pain quotidien (or daily bread), Vouvray’s inhabitants give thanks for le vin quotidien.”

They conclude, and we wholeheartedly agree, “the story of Vouvray’s still dry whites – great value wines with a distinct character and a local connection – is reaching those key export markets. No wonder, then, that the appellation’s main message is that Vouvray is the Loire’s hidden gem.”

You might not know Pierre, dear Ops, nor do we, but we all certainly know greatness in wine. Just as you trusted us with Öömrang and Zeitlos, believe us when we say: this Vouvray is an absolute essential. To pass it up would be to miss out on life’s finest pleasures.