Les Argiles 2019 - Francois Chidaine

Les Argiles - Francois Chidaine is another great wine from the master of Chenin. Of course, we mean none other than Francois Chidaine to whom the Montlouis-sur-Loire region owes a lot. Son of winemakers, he began his journey in wine in 1989 and with hard work managed to become one of the biggest names in the wine industry. A fan of organic and biodynamic cultivation, he was one of the pioneers, after the encouragement of Didier Dagueneau!

Although Les Argiles - Francois Chidaine comes from vineyards located in the Vouvray region, it cannot be listed as Vouvray AOC, as the vinification and aging process took place on the opposite side, in the Montlouis-sur-Loire region. So, by law, is labeled as Vin de France. Francois and his clients were never deterred by this “demotion”.

The soils consist of clay, limestone, chalk and the age of the vines is approximately 40 years old. The vineyard is biodynamically cultivated and no chemical pesticides are used. Manual harvest with several passes for better sorting of grapes. Alcoholic fermentation, for approximately 6 months, with indigenous yeasts in 620 liter barrels. The wine remains with its lees in the same barrels for approximately 11 months.

Its color is bright golden yellow and the nose is complex with aromas of citrus fruits, quince, pear, honey, biscuit, flint and notes of butter. In the mouth it is full-bodied with intense, crystalline acidity and a long salty aftertaste.

A wine that you can very easily “forget” in your cellar for the next 10-15 years!

It pairs extremely well with fatty fish (salmon, sea bream), scallops, poultry with creamy sauces, truffle dishes and aged goat cheeses.