Few winemakers have come to define an appellation like Jacky Blot has come to define Montlouis-Sur-Loire. He’s an authority on Chenin Blanc, and while his still wines are dynamic, enchanting distillations of this noble grape,... Read More

Few winemakers have come to define an appellation like Jacky Blot has come to define Montlouis-Sur-Loire. He’s an authority on Chenin Blanc, and while his still wines are dynamic, enchanting distillations of this noble grape, it was his "Triple Zero" sparkler that made us swoon upon first sip.

At Domaine des Tailles Aux Loups, the estate he’s owned since the late ‘80s, the focus is on pure and elegant Chenin, without any distractions—the wines are bone dry, and the pétillant wines are fermented and aged in old, neutral barrels. Borrowing from Burgundy, the fermentation is long and slow, deep in the estate’s cold cellars.

The consistent greatness of these wines lies not just in deft winemaking, but also in decades of high-quality of viticulture. The domaine has been organic since the late 80s (way before it was cool), and employs some biodynamic techniques as well. Yields are very low, and the vines are typically quite old.

If you like Chenin Blanc – or even if you're just a fan of killer white wines – these simply have to be tasted; there are very few wines priced like this which can deliver so much.