Les Petits Princes Valençay Blanc Val De Loire

Key characteristics:

Les Petits Princes Valençay Blanc Val De Loire is a distinctive white wine from the heart of France’s Loire Valley, crafted by the esteemed family-owned Huteau Boulanger winery. This wine stands out in the Loire for its elegant blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, a characteristic signature of the Valençay appellation. Its unique qualities are further shaped by maturation on fine lees, which imparts power and length, and malolactic fermentation, adding a subtle hint of hazelnut on the finish. The terroir, marked by flinty clay and alluvial gravel soils, contributes a remarkable minerality to its profile.

Tasting Notes:

• Variety: 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Chardonnay
• Appearance: Beautiful colour with green highlights.
• Aroma: Powerful, intense aromas of white flowers and white-fleshed fruit, followed by more smoky and mineral notes with hints of gunflint which complete the nose of this wine.
• Taste: On the palate, white-fleshed fruit such as peach and apricot combines with cassis, enhanced by notes of citrus and exotic fruit. Maturation on fine lees brings power and length, while the malolactic fermentation gives a hint of hazelnut on the finish.
• Region: Valençay, Loire Valley, France. The vineyards are situated on medium slopes overlooking the River Cher and its tributaries, benefiting from unique siliceous clay (“perruches”) and sandy silt on clay subsoils. The region’s oceanic to continental climate, influenced by western forests, offers a drier and warmer environment.
• Pairing: Perfect with shellfish and seafood, grilled fish or fish prepared with sauces and white meats. It also makes an exceptional pairing with local goat cheese, particularly the famous pyramid-shaped Valençay cheese.

Overall impression:

This Valençay Blanc offers a harmonious balance of vibrant fruit, refreshing acidity, and a nuanced mineral complexity. Its sophisticated structure and lingering finish make it a truly memorable expression of the Loire Valley.

Extra notes:

• Huteau Boulanger is a family-owned winery with 45 hectares of vineyards, dedicated to producing wines that genuinely reflect the unique terroir of the region.
• The Valençay appellation is renowned not only for its wines but also for its distinctive pyramid-shaped goat cheese, which is a classic local delicacy and a perfect culinary partner for this white wine.