Domaine François Chidaine

The François Chidaine estate in a nutshell...

François Chidaine became a winemaker in 1989, farming 4.5 hectares, partly leased, partly owned. Over the years, the domaine François Chidaine has acquired additional plots. Today, in partnership with his cousin Nicolas Martin, François Chidaine oversees twenty hectares in the Montlouis sur Loire appellation and ten in Vouvray.

Concerned with letting the different terroirs express themselves, Domaine François Chidaine has been practicing organic farming since 1990, without having sought a label because, for him, it corresponds to a way of life. The choice for biodynamic viticulture came quite naturally and was adopted from 1999.

François Chidaine's wines stand out for their great balance and precision. This is undoubtedly one of the finest and most consistent estates in the Loire.

Since 2014, François Chidaine no longer has AOC Vouvray rights on wines made from Vouvray vines because his vinifications take place in Montlouis, whereas the new AOC specifications require vinifications in Vouvray as an AOC criterion. The wines are identical, but are now available as Vin de France for the cuvée les Argiles, for example.

Guide RVF des Meilleurs vins de France 2023 on Domaine François Chidaine: 3*/3 (French vineyard excellence). Since his debut in 1989, François Chidaine has become a major player in Loire whites, an outstanding stylist now revered by many other winemakers. We have nothing but praise for the level reached by the wines of this exceptional winemaker. An unmissable estate for any lover of the great Loire expressions of chenin.

Guide Bettane + Desseauve 2021 on Domaine François Chidaine:4*/5 (very High Quality). Tasting wines at the table is a revealing experience, and in this game, the vintages of this exemplary domaine take on their full dimension. Let's congratulate François Chidaine for his expertise on all the cuvées. A conscientious winemaker, he has become an ace with his Chenin thanks to his biodynamic cultivation methods. The entire range is of the highest quality, making this address a sure bet.

Discover other great organic Loire wines with the Montlouis from domaine de la Taille aux Loups the Saumur from Chateau de Villeneune, from domaine des Closiers, the Chinon from Chateau de Coulaine, Muscadet from domaine de la Haute Fevrie, Sancerres from domaine du Pré-Sémelé, the Pouilly-Fumé from domaine Pabiot or the Vouvray from domaine d'Orfeuilles for example.

Les cuvées du domaine François Chidaine

The Brut effervescent is a magnificent Montlouis with fine bubbles and a slender character.

The Clos du breuil is a lively, mineral Montlouis. This dry white is at home with goat's cheeses but also with fish, for example.

Choisilles from domaine François Chidaine is a superb Montlouis parcel, both rich and complex, to drink over 10 to 15 years

Les Bournais is the great dry white cuvée from domaine François Chidaine: the wine has great complexity and superb ageing potential.

Les Argiles is a former top-class Vouvray, which became a Vin de France following a request from the AOC authorities to vinify Vouvray in the commune of the same name. As François Chidaine vinified his wines in Montlouis, he lost the AOC, which seems to us to be an aberration given the quality of the wine.

Les Lys is one of France's finest moelleux wines, with beautifully integrated sugar. Drink it over 30 years.

Where is the terroir of Montlouis?

The Montlouis terroir is located in the Loire region of France, east of Tours. It is located on the left bank of the Loire.

What grape varieties are grown in AOP Montlouis?

Chenin is the only grape variety grown on the Montlouis terroir.

What kind of wines are produced on Montlouis?

On Montlouis, and therefore at Domaine François Chidaine, only white wines are produced: they can be dry, semi-dry, sweet or sparkling.

What is the profile of Montlouis wines?

Montlouis white wines are elegant and mineral, with the best, such as those from François Chidaine or Jacky Blot de la Taille aux Loups, among the greatest white wines in France.

What pairings can we suggest with Montlouis wines?

Dry whites go well with the finest fish and goat's cheeses; off-dry wines are superb as aperitifs, with foie gras or exotic dishes; sweet Montlouis wines are magnificent with blue cheese or dessert.