Domaine Eric Chevalier - Vin de France - Folle Blanche 2024

Folle Blanche, also known as Gros Plant in the Nantes region, is a historic grape variety that was long the traditional variety in the vineyards of Cognac and Armagnac, before being largely supplanted by Ugni Blanc in the 20th century. In the Nantes region, it has found a new lease on life, giving rise to Gros Plant du Pays Nantais—a dry, lively, and briny wine, perfect for pairing with seafood.

On Eric Chevalier’s estate, located west of the Loire Valley in the Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu region, the Folle Blanche vines are planted in the hamlet of L’Aujardière, on a terroir of metamorphic rocks including eclogite—a rare geological formation that imparts a distinctive minerality to the wines. The estate, which converted to organic farming in 2016, crafts this cuvée with the same care as its renowned Muscadets: slow pressing, spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, and extended aging on the lees until bottling, to preserve all the freshness and authenticity of this rare grape variety.