François Chidaine, Montlouis, Clos Habert Tendre, Montlouis-sur-Loire, Touraine, Loire, France, 2020

Producer Profile

François Chidaine is the producer who put Montlouis firmly back on the map of world class Chenin Blanc’s.

An early disciple of ‘Biodynamie’, he has succeeded in producing some of the most elegant Loire whites with consistently great balance between ripeness and structure.

Viticulture

Montlouis-sur-Loire lies just upstream from Tours, where the Loire and Cher rivers meet. The appellation spans around 400 hectares across three communes, with Domaine holdings covering 20 hectares planted to Chenin Blanc (Pineau de Loire). Vines aged 30–90 years are grown biodynamically, with no chemical treatments and soils regularly ploughed. Melliferous and nematicidal plants are sown between rows to encourage biodiversity. Yields are kept low at 24 hl/ha to concentrate flavour. The soils—clay with coarse flint (“Les Perruches”) over soft Tuffeau limestone—combined with a continental climate with oceanic influence, produce structured, mineral-driven wines.

Winemaking

Hand picked and selected grapes, fermentation and maturation in large wooden foudre on the fine lees for 11 months.

Tasting Note

Alluring aromas of green citrus, satsumas and white floral notes, this off dry wine opens on to a palate that has a creamy like texture and mouthfeel and some residual sweetness.

Food Matching

Very versatile, from goat cheese and charcuterie to white meats and sweet-and-sour or subtly spicy cuisine.