2021 Le Mont Sec

Domaine Huet, perhaps Vouvray's most famous name, was founded almost a century ago. An early adopter of biodynamics, it was certified in 1993 when even organic producers were considered to be hippies. Today, Domaine Huet is run by Sarah Hwang, whose family bought the estate in 2003. Production of wine styles (from dry to sweet) varies depending on the season, and the seasons are becoming more erratic every year. In 2018, around 85% of production was sweet, and they were able to make the rare, sweet cuvée, Constance. The original vineyard, Le Haut Lieu is a clay-based vineyard which was first purchased in 1928 by founder Gaston Huet. It now covers 15 hectares and remains the most fruit-forward of the estate’s sites. The addition of Clos du Bourg came in 1953. It’s a real clos, surrounded by walls and is a little warmer than the other sites making it the first of the Huet vineyards to be picked. Conversely, the Le Mont vineyard, which was acquired in 1957, has a greenish yellow clay soil with flint scattered throughout, making it a cooler site; it is picked the latest and takes time to express itself fully in the glass. No matter the site or the sweetness level, there is an ethereal and elegant quality to these wines that defies scientific analysis.