Domaine Bernard Fouquet Vouvray Cuvée de Silex Sec 2024 from Vouvray in the Loire is a thrilling, mineral‑charged Chenin that offers serious class without the price tag to match. This Domaine Bernard Fouquet Vouvray Cuvée de Silex Sec 2024 opens with pear, green apple, quince and melon, wrapped around citrus blossom, subtle honey and a chalky, flinty edge that screams silex soils. The palate is dry, medium‑bodied and tightly focused, with crunchy acidity, stony texture and a long, mouthwatering finish that feels both textural and refreshing.

On the table, it’s a brilliant match for South Australian seafood – think oysters, garfish, scallops, salt‑and‑pepper squid or fish and chips where that acidity and minerality slice through salt and batter. It also sings with creamy chicken dishes, pork with apple, mild Thai or Vietnamese salads, and soft cheeses like brie, chèvre or triple cream, where its citrus, orchard fruit and subtle honey notes keep everything in balance. Serve chilled but not icy so the fruit and flint really show.

For anyone chasing a dry Vouvray, this is exceptional value – organic‑leaning old vines, hand‑harvested fruit and stainless‑steel élevage give you pure, precise Chenin with real terroir expression at a very fair price. Stylistically it sits in the “tropical and balanced” white camp, but with classic Loire tension and chalky cut, making it a cracking option for Riesling, Chablis or Chardonnay drinkers looking to explore Chenin.