Francois Chidaine, Vin de France (Vouvray), "Les Argiles", Loire Valley 2023

Francois Chidaine working alongside his father in Montlouis-sur-Loire before starting his winery in 1989. He expanded his holdings overtime to 30ha across Montlouis and Vouvray, (because of a change in wine laws, you cannot label wines made in Vouvray as Vouvray if they are bottled in Montlouis). Francois is known as one of the top viticulturists in the region, a leader and mentor to many in the ways of regenerative agriculture. The Argiles bottling comes from multiple plots in Vouvray, around Clos Baudoin. The clay is deeper here giving a wine of lush texture but vibrant minerality, fermented dry.