Francois Chidaine Chenin Blanc Le Chenin d'Ici 2024

Profile & Story

Domaine Francois Chidaine is widely regarded as the benchmark Chenin Blanc producer of the Loire, farming biodynamically across Montlouis-sur-Loire (his home appellation) and Vouvray on tuffeau limestone, flint and clay soils. Chenin d'Ici ("Chenin from here") was first created in 2021, after Chidaine lost 60% of his own yields and secured small parcels of Chenin Blanc from friends across Touraine to supplement his fruit; the wine is roughly a 50/50 blend of estate and purchased fruit. Because it blends Montlouis and Vouvray grapes, which cannot be co-labeled under either appellation's AOC rules, it is declassified to Vin de France. Manually harvested and fermented with indigenous yeast in 620L barrels, aged on its lees until bottling.

Pairing Recommendation

Grilled fish, shellfish, shrimp and avocado salad, goat cheese, or as an aperitif.