Domaine François Chidaine Vouvray Sec Les Argiles 2023
Domaine François Chidaine
Chidaine's Vouvray Sec from the Argiles parcel delivers everything you want from Chenin Blanc on chalk and clay: tension, mineral focus, and fruit purity that doesn't rely on sweetness for impact. The biodynamic farming and minimal intervention in the cellar let the limestone terroir express itself clearly. This is the kind of wine that rewards a slight chill and a moment of attention — each sip reveals a new facet of the chalk beneath the clay.
Nose
Green apple and white flowers — acacia and a touch of rose — open the nose, followed by a chalky mineral note that speaks to the tuffeau limestone soils of Vouvray. Honey appears faintly, suggesting ripeness without residual sugar.
Palate
Taut and precise, with citrus — lemon and grapefruit — providing the structural acid framework. The mid-palate broadens into melon and a waxy, lanolin quality that gives texture. A hint of marzipan appears on the back palate, adding complexity to the clean fruit.
Finish
Long and mineral-driven, with a persistent chalky dryness and a final lift of green apple.
- Varietal
- Chenin Blanc
- Blend
- 100% Chenin Blanc
- Vineyards
- Les Argiles, Vouvray
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
- Skin Contact
- No
Food Pairing
The rich, fatty pork rillettes of the Loire are the classic regional match — the wine's bright acidity cuts through the richness while its honeyed fruit and mineral finish complement the meat's subtle sweetness. Toasted brioche adds a nutty, buttery contrast.
François Chidaine farms 40 hectares of Chenin Blanc biodynamically across Montlouis-sur-Loire and Vouvray, vinifying each parcel separately in his tuffeau limestone cave cellars carved into the hillside centuries ago.
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