Moelleux (Vouvray) François Chidaine 2018

Domaine François Chidaine

François Chidaine worked alongside his father Yves for many years before setting out on his own in 1989. Convinced of the potential of the teroirs of Montlouis and Vouvray, he purchased assorted parcels and expanded the estate to today's total of 30 hectares of Chenin Blanc, many of which are dominated by old vines of 40 to 80 years of age. During these years of growth, Chidaine earned a reputation as a leading natural viticulturalistin the region. Today, he is devoted to what is referred to in the U.S. as "regenerative agrcitulture", which involves implementing practices that are known to improve the rate at which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and converted into plant material and soil organic matter (squestering CO2 in the soils). At the heart of this approach is a practice of "no-till" farming. While plowing is an integral part of natural viticulture for many farmers and producers, this disruption of the soil is thought to interfere with the complex mycorrhizal network (funghi network) that actually connects individual plants together and transfers water, carbon, nitrogen and other nutrients and minerals between them. After years of working his soils, François developed a belief that by plowing he was sabotaging these important communication networks which help to give the vines what they need to flourish. An essential asopect of regenerative farming is the establishment of permanent cover crops between vine rows. Francois encourages biodiversity by embracing the growth of indigenous plants and sowing over 25 additional species among the vines. By mimicking nature, the vines find their place in a complex ecosystem, allowing them to better express their place of origin. 

Situated within the Vouvray AOC. Deep clay soils with white chalk, the subsoil is tuffeau (soft white chalk). Fermentation with natural yeasts takes place in demi-muids, malolactic fermentation is not sought. Ageing on fine lees in demi-muids. Previously classified under the Vouvray AOC, Chidaine vinifies his wines in Montlouis and the Vouvray AOC regime does not allow Vouvray to be produced/ bottled outside the AOC region. As a result, Les Argiles has now been reclassified as Vin de France.

Moelleux, pronounced “mull-yu” is a beautiful style of Chenin done in a style that is purposefully sweet. Harvest is a process as the Chenin requires multiple passes through the vineyards to pick the fruit that has experienced the sought after noble rot. The wine is bottled with about 22 grams of residual sugar, though the presence of the natural acidity in the Chenin balances the wine.

Grape: 100% Chenin Blanc

Organic