Tasting in Vouvray, at the heart of the Loire Valley

Ok look, this is wine tourism on hard mode. But once you are done with the tourist friendly Sancerre, make the 2hr drive west to Vouvray. Turning up unannounced will not result in anything but you staring at a large blue gate, but even if you do book in advance, you'll need to do so in French. And while online translation is pretty great these days, you'll also beneit from some French, or a translator, during your visit. That all said, a tasting here will be one of the most incredible experiences of your life. It's worth the effort.

The Domaine cellars are dug back into the limestone under the vineyards (see photo) and contain decades of back vintage Chenin Blanc.