Domaine du Viking Vouvray Cuvee Aurelie 2005

From the Producer:

The Cuvee Aurelie is 100% Chenin Blanc from flint soils in the village of Reugny. It is selected by hand in SGN fashion from late harvest grapes. A slow and natural fermentation in tank is followed by aging in chestnut and French oak barrels for at least 24 months before release.

It is fair to say that Lionel Gauthier is a bit of a misfit in the area. With a shocking patch of blond hair, massive build, and in-your-face intensity, he seems more Scandinavian than Loire. At least that is what his friends thought when they started calling him the “Viking” several years ago. After a few years, the name “Viking” had stuck, so in 1989, Lionel decided to rename the property. Every single bunch of grapes on the property is hand-harvested, sorted, destemmed, crushed, and fermented in Lionel’s tiny garage cellar, and left to age in tank and barrels made from local chestnut (according to Lionel, oak imparts too many unwanted flavors to his wines.) Lionel’s style is what he called “Sec Tendre” or “Tender Dry”. This is usually a demi-sec (off dry) bottling with very high acidity. Because most of the vines are planted on flint (silex), the minerality and acidity are startling and stunning. There is a type of mouthwatering acidity that makes drinking these wines all too easy. For lovers of great Austrian and Germain riesling.