Domaine François Chidaine Montlouis Les Grillonieres by Alice Chidaine 2023

Domaine François Chidaine Montlouis Les Grillonieres is a dry Chenin from a tiny parcel of 120-year-old vines, farmed and bottled by Alice Chidaine.

Montlouis-sur-Loire sits across the river from Vouvray on flint-clay soils over tuffeau, and Chenin Blanc there gives dry whites with phenolic grip and tangy acidity. Les Grillonnières is a small parcel of vines around 120 years old, tended by Alice Chidaine, the eldest child of François and Manuéla. After her studies she worked with Dagueneau and Clos Rougeard, and with the old-vine Chenin specialist Chris Alheit in South Africa, before returning home for the 2016 harvest; she has been working this parcel since 2015. The site faces south and is warmer than the Epinays parcel farmed by her brothers, which shows in a refined, textural mouthfeel with lemon and confit pear over a firm, saline close. The winemaking barely differs from her father's, and the label carries both names.

Drink over the next eight to ten years with roast pork, river fish or a goat's cheese. Serve at 10-12°C.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.