Bougrier Doulce France Vouvray V.

Wine: Bougrier Doulce France Vouvray V.

Grape: Chenin blanc

Region: Loire Valley, France

Vintage: 2009

Price: $8.99

In the glass: Vouvray wine is a pale lemon-yellow color with a bright, clear core going out into a faint citrine-colored rim definition with medium viscosity.

On the nose: There are lovely fragrant touches of sliced pears and green apples, hints of nectarine, white peach and apricot flesh, crushed macadamia nuts and that unmistakable classic Loire minerality from wet limestone.

On the palate: The wine lands softly and gently on the tongue with no obtrusive acidity, yet showing a full plethora of white fruit, like that of nectarine and peach, some pear and honeydew melon, just great concentration and wonderful balance. The midpalate has that mineral kick again with hints of toast and star fruit, almost like Champagne without the fizz. It is delicious right through the finish, which lingers with chalky minerals and sweet fruity notes.

Odds and ends: Vouvray often is produced as a "late harvest" wine, with the onset of "noble rot" toward the latter part of the growing season. This produces a bit of sweetness in the wines, while retaining the full and structured complexity. Bougrier is a well-known producer, and this special cuvee "V" made for Total Wine is delightful at this late stage of summer. It also is a good value, and worth serving to guests. Enjoy it with slices of Tuscan or cantaloupe melon served with some fine Jambon Serrano or Parma ham. Drink it now through 2015 without any problems; because of the relative sweetness, this wine can age well for years.

Gil Lempert-Schwarz's wine column appears Wednesdays. Write him at P.O. Box 50749, Henderson, NV 89016-0749, or e-mail him at gil@winevegas.com.