Loire ValleyDomaine de la Taille aux Loups

Jacky Blot, winegrower in Montlouis (not far from Tours) since the 80s, produces exceptional white wines on his estate, the Domaine de la Taille aux Loups. He is even considered as one of the best winemakers in the AOC Montlouis-sur-Loire (8 ha) and Vouvray (14 ha).

Located on the southern bank, the vineyards are found on a high south facing plateau overlooking the Loire River.
The ex-wine broker of Tours was also one of the first to employ vineyard ploughing which creates a balanced natural habitat without a supply of chemical products and helps the roots to descend more deeply into the clay and the limestone bedrock. His vines are particularly old (from 70 to 80 years old). Harvests are carried out by hand in successive passes through the vineyards and are followed by numerous selections to eliminate unsuitable grapes. Yields are kept very low (25 hl/ha on average) to enhance the concentration and the complexity of the wines.

Herbicides, the addition of sugar and of yeast are forbidden. Supporter of the reasoned culture, Jacky Blot is also in favour of oak barrels for the Chenin Blanc, also called Pineau de Loire. This variety yields dry, medium-dry and sweet white wines that are bottled after a long aging and stored in the Domaines’ cold underground cellars, cut into the limestone cliffs.