Vouvray is a large AOC in the Touraine district of the Loire Valley located just east of the city of Tours. The appellation is dedicated almost exclusively to Chenin Blanc in a variety of guises. Cooler years see the production of dry table wines, and sparkling wines made in the methode champenoise, while warmer vintages favor the production of sweeter wines.

The region is situated on top of a plateau that is bisected by a number of small streams, which makes for a climate that encourages Botrytis and allows for the production of dessert styles. With more than 5,000 acres under vine, Vouvray is by far the largest producer of Chenin Blanc based wines in France, and produces over a million cases of wine per year.

While some producers are experimenting with oak, this is a rarity, and the vast majority of Vouvray is bottled early as a pure varietal expression. Since vintage plays a huge role in determining the style of the wine, Vouvray will often carry one of several indicators of sweetness. Those labeled "Sec" are dry, "Demi-sec" will be between 0.4 and 1.2% residual sugar, "Moelleux" will be between 1.2 and 4.5% residual sugar and will also often have a Botrytis influence, and "Doux" will be a dessert style of over 4.5% residual sugar.

Vouvray has a deserved reputation for its ability to age due in large part to the high acidity levels of the Chenin Blanc grown here, with the sweeter styles capable of developing in the bottle for decades. Conversely, sparkling Vouvray does not age well and is meant to be drunk in youth. (Wine/Appellations)