François Chidaine, Montlouis Sec, Les Bournais, Montlouis-sur-Loire, Touraine, Loire, France, 2021

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

Perched on a limestone plateau overlooking the Loire River, Les Bournais is a site François Chidaine describes as “a magical place.”, and he isn't wrong! Once abandoned, Chidaine saw this sites potential and began replanting vines there in 1999. Unlike much of Montlouis, which is dominated by clay and flint (silex) soils, Les Bournais is defined by its unique combination of clay and limestone—its name even referencing the specific type of limestone found here. Chidaine typically vinifies this wine dry, with rare exceptions like the 2005 vintage. The resulting wine is powerful and full-bodied, often considered the most Vouvray-like of all his Montlouis expressions.

Tasting Note

A phenomenal Chenin de Loire. This wine shines with a luminous clarity, offering a delicate and refined aromatic profile. Gentle notes of honeysuckle, crisp green apple, white pepper, and ripe yellow stone fruits rise from the glass. On the palate, it reveals the true character of Chenin Blanc—layered and textured, with a vibrant, mouth-watering acidity that brings energy and lift to its structured frame.

Food Matching

Ideal as an aperitif or paired with seafood, goat cheese, or light vegetable dishes.