Michel Autran, Vouvray 'Ciel Rouge', 2020

Michel Autran pushes Vouvray into new territory with this amber-hued skin-contact Chenin Blanc. 'Ciel Rouge' (Red Sky) sees extended maceration on the skins, extracting phenolics and color while maintaining Chenin's signature acidity. The result bridges two worlds: Loire freshness meets the textural grip and savory complexity of orange wine. Expect dried apricot, chamomile, honey, and tannic structure unusual for white wine. Autran farms with minimal intervention on clay-silex soils, allowing wild yeasts to guide fermentation. Serve slightly cool with aged cheeses or roast poultry.