Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC, Vouvray AOC, Touraine AOCChenin Blanc45 haFounded 1989Francois ChidaineWinemaker Francois ChidaineBiodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDMontlouis-sur-Loire
Montlouis reference, 45 hectares biodynamic across Montlouis (22 ha) and Vouvray (10 ha), with the Clos Baudoin in Vouvray as the historic monopole.
Tasting: Cellar visits at the domaine; tasting room La Cave Insolite at 30 quai Albert Baillet, Montlouis
Signature wines: Montlouis-sur-Loire Les Choisilles, Montlouis-sur-Loire Clos du Breuil, Vouvray Clos Baudoin
Tip: Clos du Breuil is the entry-point dry Montlouis; Clos Baudoin is the Vouvray monopole worth tracking down.
Chinon AOCCabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc32 haFounded 1975Baudry family (Bernard and Matthieu)Winemaker Matthieu BaudryORGANIC CERTIFIEDChinon
Cravant-les-Coteaux reference, 32 hectares of Cabernet Franc on the three Chinon terroirs (gravel, clay-limestone, tuffeau plateau), each bottled as a single-vineyard.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Cravant-les-Coteaux domaine
Signature wines: Les Grezeaux, La Croix Boissee, Le Clos Guillot
Tip: La Croix Boissee from the high tuffeau plateau is one of Chinon's most age-worthy reds and the appellation's quiet grand cru.
Chinon AOCCabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc32 haFounded 1957Genet family (Jacques Genet since 1985; daughter Anne-Charlotte Genet leads operations)Winemaker Kevin FontaineORGANIC CERTIFIEDChinon
Sazilly estate created by sculptor-winemaker Charles Joguet in 1957, with 30 hectares of Cabernet Franc and 2 of Chenin, single-vineyard bottlings since the 1980s.
Tasting: Visits and tastings Monday-Friday 10-13, 14-18; Saturday 10-18 (April-October)
Signature wines: Clos de la Dioterie, Clos du Chene Vert, Les Varennes du Grand Clos
Tip: Clos de la Dioterie, an old-vine south-facing parcel, is the appellation's most singular old-vine red.
Chinon AOCCabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc25 haFounded 1947Raffault familyChinon
Savigny-en-Veron family domaine with library reserves going back decades; the Les Picasses cuvee from clay-limestone hillside is the reference Chinon for ageing potential.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment in Savigny-en-Veron
Signature wines: Les Picasses, Les Barnabes
Tip: Aged Les Picasses (15+ years) is one of France's quiet bargains: aged Cabernet Franc at a fraction of Bordeaux prices.
Chinon AOCCabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc24 haFounded 1947Billard family (Jerome and Elodie Billard)Winemaker Jerome BillardORGANIC CERTIFIEDChinon
Family-run Chinon at Ligre, 24 hectares of organic Cabernet Franc on a hillside plateau with commanding views over the Chinon fortress.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Ligre domaine
Signature wines: Les Chiens-Chiens, Pierre de Tuf
Tip: Jerome Billard trained at Petrus and Dominus; the Les Chiens-Chiens cuvee shows in the polish of the wines.
Chinon AOCCabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc17 haFounded 1978Alliet family (Philippe, Claude and Pierre)Winemaker Philippe AllietORGANIC CERTIFIEDChinon
Cravant-les-Coteaux estate where Philippe Alliet trained in Bordeaux and brought a Medoc-style approach (long extractions, new oak) to Chinon Cabernet Franc.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at Cravant-les-Coteaux
Signature wines: Vieilles Vignes, Coteau de Noire, L'Huisserie
Tip: Coteau de Noire is the high-end tuffeau-plateau cuvee; the Vieilles Vignes is excellent value.
