Demeter-certified Cour-Cheverny estate working Romorantin, the unique white grape of this tiny Loire AOC. The Francois 1er cuvee is the appellation reference.
Tip: Cour-Cheverny AOC permits only Romorantin (per INAO decree, 1993); the appellation covers roughly 50 hectares planted in total. Book a tasting with Michel Gendrier and ask for a vertical of the Francois 1er cuvee.
Address: Les Huards, 41700 Cour-Cheverny, France, Loire Valley
Family estate working old-vine Romorantin in Cour-Cheverny. Le Petit Chambord is the other essential Romorantin name alongside Domaine des Huards.
Tip: The old-vine Renaissance cuvee Cour-Cheverny is the wine to taste. Cazin's range also includes a deceptively age-worthy Cheverny rouge from Pinot Noir and Gamay.
Marc Angeli's foundational Anjou natural-wine estate, working Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc in Bonnezeaux with no-sulphur cellar protocol. Cult status among natural-wine sommeliers.
Tip: Sansonniere wines are nearly impossible to find at retail; allocations move through specialist natural-wine cavistes (La Cave des Papilles in Paris, Le Vin en Tete in Lyon). Direct estate contact for visits is possible but requires patience.
Anjou natural-wine pioneer working horse-ploughed Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc with no cellar additions. Cult name in the no-sulphur natural-wine world.
Tip: Cousin's Pur Breton (100 percent Cabernet Franc) is the signature wine. Direct contact for cellar-door visits is by horse-drawn appointment, which is itself the experience.
Reuilly's modern reference estate, working Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris on Kimmeridgian limestone at a fraction of Sancerre prices. Now in the second generation under Nathalie Lafond.
Tip: Reuilly is the value Sancerre substitute; the Lafond estate offers walk-in tastings at Reuilly village. The Pinot Gris rose is the curiosity of the range, almost impossible to find outside the appellation.
Norguet family estate in Coteaux du Vendomois working the rare, peppery Pineau d'Aunis grape. The grape is almost unique to this small appellation north of Vendome.
Tip: Pineau d'Aunis is the Loire's spiciest red, with a finishing note that wine writers compare to white pepper or sansho. Try the rose first; the rouge takes some getting used to but is unforgettable.
Cult Saumur-Champigny grower working old-vine Cabernet Franc and biodynamic Chenin Blanc. Allocations move through Becky Wasserman in the US.
Tip: Sanzay's Saumur blanc Les Salles Martin is a top reference for biodynamic Chenin Blanc dry whites. Direct contact for visits; the estate is small and the schedule is tight.
