Domaine François Chidaine : Les Argiles 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Les Argiles 2023 by François Chidaine

Tasting

Appearance
The colour ranges from pale yellow to light golden highlights, distinguished by remarkable clarity and brilliance.

Nose
The nose reveals a complex aromatic bouquet in which notes of stone fruit, citrus and white flowers intermingle. Subtle mineral touches evoking wet stone, along with herbaceous and delicately honeyed nuances, enrich this olfactory expression.

Palate
On the palate, this wine charms with its silky texture and generous volume, perfectly balanced by vibrant acidity. The finish, of beautiful purity, extends at length with lingering mineral notes.

Food and Wine Pairings

This white wine pairs wonderfully with seafood, oysters or grilled fish. It also accompanies roasted white meats with herbs, lightly spiced Asian dishes or a dry, aged goat's cheese with great flair. It can equally be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif.

The Pure, Mineral Expression of a White Vin de France Crafted by Chidaine

The Estate

Founded in 1989, Domaine François Chidaine is a true benchmark. At the helm of the estate, François Chidaine, now supported by his wife Manuela and their children Alice and Pierre, cultivates a vineyard covering approximately 37 to 45 hectares. A pioneer of biodynamic viticulture and regenerative agriculture, the estate stands out for its deep respect for the environment and the soils. This exacting philosophy gives rise to terroir-driven cuvées of remarkable precision, placing the estate among the most respected producers in France.

The Vineyard

The vines, some of which have reached the venerable age of 90 years, thrive on a mosaic of complex terroirs made up of clay, flint and tuffeau limestone. The vineyard is managed according to the principles of biodynamics and regenerative agriculture, fostering rich biodiversity thanks to permanent grass cover and the absence of ploughing. Due to administrative constraints related to the place of vinification, certain prestigious parcels are classified as Vin de France, while maintaining great quality and very low yields.

The Vintage

The 2023 vintage was marked by unpredictable weather conditions in the region, with strong temperature variations and irregular rainfall depending on the area. Despite these climatic challenges, the growing cycle made it possible to harvest berries of fine quality, offering optimal concentration and balance.

Winemaking and Ageing

The winemaking follows a minimal-intervention approach. After gentle pressing, fermentations begin naturally with indigenous yeasts in the cool tuffeau cellars, and can extend over several months. To preserve the wine's tension, malolactic fermentation is not carried out. Ageing takes place on fine lees, mainly in used wooden demi-muids and stainless steel tanks, without any bâtonnage, allowing the wine to develop its complex texture protected from oxidation.

Grape Varieties

Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc