Producer · Loire, France

Château Moncontour

Château Moncontour looks down on the Loire from a high ridge in the heart of Vouvray. King Charles VII built the château in the 15th century, and its cellar, dug into the hillside, dates from the fourth century.

Christian Feray bought it in 1994, having wanted it since he was a boy. With Jérôme Loisy, winemaker here for more than 25 years, he has put it at the front of Vouvray's revival. There are 130 hectares of vines. The wines are modern Chenin Blanc, fresh and lively with ripe orchard fruit, and there is a traditional-method sparkling too.

Winery at Vouvray, Loire · Chenin Blanc · £16.99 to £17.49 a bottle