2023 Francois Chidaine Touraine Sauvignon Blanc, Loire Valley

A talented and passionate winemaker, François Chidaine left the family estate to acquire his own vines in 1989. Recognized as an exceptional innovator by his peers, he has developed quality products in the heart of Touraine. His Sauvignon Blanc is made from grapes grown on plots with flint and clay-limestone soils, located in the communes of the Cher Valley. It is a dry wine that reveals aromas of pear, apple and citrus, enhanced by delicate floral fragrances and hints of flint. On the palate, the attack is supple, offering an excellent restitution of the fruity and floral aromas perceived on the nose. The tasting reveals a perfect balance between freshness and fleshy fruit, while the finish, surprisingly long and complex for an appellation from this region, leaves a lasting impression. Very good! Serve at 12 ° C. Ideal to accompany the salad of shrimp, crab cakes, seafood paella, spring rolls, fish and chips, lobster sandwiches, or clam chowder.

Bacchus Wine Magazine

François Chidaine Touraine Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley is a beautifully pure, organically farmed white that offers exceptional value and clarity. While Chidaine is best known for his stunning Chenin Blancs from Montlouis and Vouvray, his Sauvignon Blanc from the Touraine appellation proves he brings the same thoughtful precision and terroir focus to every variety he touches.

Sourced from limestone and clay soils in the heart of Touraine, the grapes are farmed organically and biodynamically, as with all of Chidaine’s wines. The approach in the vineyard is hands-on and low-intervention, prioritising soil health and vine balance to produce fruit with natural vibrancy and aromatic lift.

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel using wild yeasts, with the wine aged briefly on fine lees to build texture and mouthfeel. There’s no oak, no manipulation—just crisp, expressive Sauvignon Blanc made with exceptional care and attention to detail.

In the glass, it opens with aromas of lemon zest, green apple, gooseberry, nettle, and a hint of crushed stone. The palate is bright and zesty with high-toned citrus, a touch of tropical fruit, and a clean, mineral finish that is unmistakably Loire. It’s refreshing and vibrant, yet with enough depth and grip to elevate it above many simpler examples from the region.

This is an ideal wine for fresh seafood, goat cheese, herbed chicken, or vibrant green salads. It’s also a perfect weeknight white for those who love Sauvignon Blanc with real precision and terroir character.