1989 Domaine Huet, Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Sec Blanc 750ml

The 35-hectare (86-acre) estate consists of three principal south-facing vineyards of Chenin Blanc on the plateau above the river, with smaller plots dotted around them. Le Haut-Lieu, around the original house and set back from the river, is on heavier brown clay and limestone and produces the most approachable wines.

Grapes are picked manually in two or three passages through the vineyard. Because of the differing levels of sweetness across the range, the harvest may not be completed until November.

Grapes are pressed in whole bunches and juice is slowly fermented using natural yeasts in cool cellars in a mix of large and small oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. Fermentation is ended by racking the wine and adding sulphur.