Touraine 'Le Chenin de la Colline' 2021, Domaine de la Garrelière

An aromatic, seductive, and multi-layered expression of the Loire's iconic white grape. 'Le Chenin de la Colline' 2021 — literally Chenin of the Hill — originates from the biodynamic estate of Pascale and François Plouzeau in southern Touraine, near Richelieu. Guided entirely by intuition in both vineyard and cellar, François crafts a transparent natural Chenin Blanc showing remarkable energy, rich texture, and mineral drive.

In the glass, the wine displays a bright, straw-yellow hue. The bouquet opens aromatically with notes of ripe yellow fruit, quince, subtle tropical nuances, and a touch of soft honey. On the palate, it is full-bodied, rounded, and mouth-coating, balanced by crystalline, seamlessly integrated acidity and an underlying flinty minerality that keeps the wine vibrant and refreshing.

Key Highlights

• Terroir: 100% Chenin Blanc sourced from 30-year-old vines in southern Touraine (AOC Touraine), planted on complex flinty clay (argilo-silex) and clay-limestone soils.
• Winemaking & Ageing: Whole-cluster hand-harvesting followed by a gentle 3-hour slow press. Cold fermentation in concrete tanks and patient sur lie maturation in large neutral oak casks (demi-muids of 600 liters).
• Sustainability: Certified organic and biodynamic (Biodyvin). Bottled under natural wine principles: unfined, unfiltered, and with minimal added sulfites.
• Tasting Profile: Full-bodied, creamy, aromatic, and mineral-driven. Notes of ripe yellow fruit, quince, tropical accents, wild honey, and a crisp flinty finish.
• Ageing Potential: Accessible and expressive now, with the structural depth to cellar gracefully over 4 to 7 years.

Food Pairing

• Fish & Seafood: Outstanding alongside fresh ceviche, grilled sea bream, or refined white fish dishes.
• Asian & Fusion: Excellent with Asian or South American fusion cuisine featuring sweet-and-sour or mildly spiced elements.
• Poultry & Cheese: Ideal match for roasted poultry, veal in cream sauce, rich summer salads, and fresh goat cheese.
• Serving Suggestion: Best served chilled between 10°C and 12°C in generous white wine crystal glasses.

The Terroir of the Hill

The unique hill slope terroir near Richelieu blends flinty clay (argilo-silex) with a solid limestone bedrock. The flint imparts striking mineral tension and signature smokiness to the Chenin Blanc grape, while the limestone contributes generous fruit ripeness, texture, and structural breadth.

About Domaine de la Garrelière

Domaine de la Garrelière is managed by Pascale and François Plouzeau. Since 1985, they have farmed their 18-hectare estate under strict organic and biodynamic principles (Biodyvin). Guided by low cellar intervention and a profound connection to their soils, the Plouzeaus produce pure, authentic terroir wines revered by fine dining enthusiasts.