Domaine François Chidaine : Les Argiles 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of Domaine François Chidaine Blanc 2023

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a pale yellow hue with light golden hints, distinguished by remarkable clarity and brilliance.

Nose
The nose reveals a complex aromatic bouquet where notes of stone fruit, citrus and white flowers intertwine. Subtle mineral touches evoking wet stone, along with herbal and delicately honeyed nuances, enrich this olfactory expression.

Palate
On the palate, this wine seduces with its silky texture and fullness, perfectly balanced by vibrant acidity. The finish, of beautiful purity, lingers on persistent mineral notes.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with seafood, oysters or grilled fish. It also brilliantly accompanies roasted white meats with herbs, lightly spiced Asian dishes or a mature dry goat cheese. It can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif.

Service and storage

Domaine François Chidaine Blanc 2023 can be enjoyed now, but its fine structure allows it to evolve favourably in the cellar, with a drinking window extending to around 2033.

Other characteristics

This wine stands out with a decidedly dry profile, supported by a striking minerality and the absence of malolactic fermentation, a technical choice that preserves all its freshness and energy.

The pure and mineral expression of a white wine from the Loire Valley

The estate

Founded in 1989 in Montlouis-sur-Loire, Domaine François Chidaine is a true benchmark of the Loire Valley. At the helm of the estate, François Chidaine, now supported by his wife Manuela and their children Alice and Pierre, cultivates a vineyard spanning approximately 37 to 45 hectares. A pioneer of biodynamic viticulture and regenerative farming, the estate is renowned for its deep respect for the environment and the soil. This demanding philosophy gives rise to terroir-driven cuvées of remarkable precision, placing the estate among France's most respected producers.

The vineyard

The vines, some of which reach the venerable age of 90 years, flourish across a complex mosaic of terroirs made up of clay, flint and tuffeau limestone. The vineyard is managed according to the principles of biodynamics and regenerative agriculture, encouraging rich biodiversity through permanent cover cropping and the absence of ploughing. Due to administrative constraints linked to the winemaking location, certain prestigious plots situated in the neighbouring appellation are classified as Vin de France, while retaining excellent quality and very low yields.

The vintage

The year 2023 was marked by unpredictable weather conditions in the region, with significant temperature variations and irregular rainfall depending on the area. Despite these climatic challenges, the growing cycle allowed for the harvest of berries of fine quality, offering optimal concentration and balance.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of Domaine François Chidaine Blanc 2023 follows a minimal intervention approach. After gentle pressing, fermentation begins naturally through indigenous yeasts in the cool tuffeau cellars, and can extend over several months. To preserve the wine's tension, malolactic fermentation is not carried out. Aging takes place on fine lees, mainly in used half-muid barrels and stainless steel tanks, without any lees stirring, allowing the wine to develop its complex texture while sheltered from oxidation.

Grape varieties

Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc.