Francois ChidaineProducer from Loire, France

Francois Chidaine: A Master of Loire Valley Chenin Blanc

Francois Chidaine is widely regarded as one of the finest vignerons in the Loire Valley, crafting terroir-driven Chenin Blancs that balance complexity, concentration, and finesse. Over the past three decades, his meticulous approach to vineyard management and winemaking has transformed his domaine into one of the most respected in Montlouis-sur-Loire and beyond. His wines, which now span Montlouis, Vouvray, and Touraine, are celebrated for their depth, purity, and remarkable ageing potential.

The Journey of Francois Chidaine

Born into a family of vignerons, Francois Chidaine established his own domaine in 1989 with just four hectares of vines in Montlouis-sur-Loire, a lesser-known but increasingly prestigious appellation on the south bank of the Loire River. From the start, he was driven by a commitment to expressing terroir, working with Chenin Blanc, a grape capable of producing everything from crisp, mineral-driven dry wines to rich, long-lived sweet wines.

Chidaine quickly recognised the importance of sustainable viticulture, converting to organic farming in 1992 and fully adopting biodynamic practices by 1999. His philosophy is rooted in minimal intervention, allowing the character of the vines and soils to shine through. Today, his 37-hectare domaine consists of 50 distinct parcels, including 20 hectares in Montlouis, 10 in Vouvray, and additional vineyards in Touraine planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Grolleau, Cabernet Franc, Côt, and Pineau d'Aunis.

A Singular Approach to Winemaking

Chidaine’s Chenin Blancs are celebrated for their ability to reflect the nuances of soil and climate. His Montlouis wines, grown in flinty clay and tuffeau limestone, showcase elegant minerality and precision, while those from Vouvray, rooted in clay-limestone soils, tend to be broader, richer, and more textural. Despite the proximity of these two appellations, the distinctiveness of their terroirs is unmistakable in his wines.

One of the more controversial aspects of Chidaine’s work is his inability to label his Vouvray wines as AOC Vouvray. Since his winery is located in Montlouis, he is required by law to label these wines as Vin de France—a regulation he finds frustrating, given the clear distinction and historical prestige of these vineyards.

In the cellar, Chidaine employs a hands-off approach, fermenting with wild yeasts in oak barrels, allowing the wines to evolve at their own pace. He avoids malolactic fermentation whenever possible to preserve freshness, though acknowledges that warmer vintages are naturally leading to more frequent malolactic conversion. His wines typically rest on lees for around a year, gaining texture and complexity before release.

Chidaine’s commitment to biodynamics, his focus on terroir expression, and his ability to craft age-worthy, impeccably balanced wines have secured his reputation as one of Loire’s greatest winemakers. With each vintage, his wines continue to capture the attention of collectors and connoisseurs alike.

---

Signature Wines and Legacy

Francois Chidaine produces an impressive range of wines, with over 13 cuvées of Chenin Blanc alone, spanning from bone-dry to lusciously sweet moelleux styles. His most sought-after wines include:

Clos du Breuil (Montlouis-sur-Loire) 

A benchmark dry Chenin Blanc, known for its precision, stony minerality, and longevity.

Baudoin (Vin de France, from Vouvray):

From clay-rich soils, offering a plusher, more textural expression of Chenin Blanc.

Les Argiles (Vin de France, from Vouvray):

A powerful, structured wine that highlights the depth and complexity of Vouvray terroir.

Montlouis-sur-Loire Choisilles:

Grown in flinty clay soils rich in small black flints ("choisilles"), this wine is tense, mineral-driven, and deeply expressive, showcasing the purest form of Montlouis terroir.