images + text by Elizabeth Griswold
How can you argue with a wine that tells you “You are so Fine”? I didn’t really want to, and besides the blush-worthy compliment, this wine made me so happy. I was recently reintroduced to it and was inspired to revisit what I love so much about Domaine le Briseau (Vins et Cie), and about winemakers Natalie and Christian Chaussard. They work out of the Jasnières/Coteaux du Loir region, the northernmost of the Loire, (the Loir River an upwards offshoot of the larger Loire), but have upheld a commitment to Chenin Blanc, even so far in the north of France. Vins et Cie is their more recent, negociant venture within their larger Domaine le Briseau vineyards.
The simplicity and purity of the Chaussards’ production methods yield wines that are complex, savory, alive, and fun. Natalie and Christian have been certified organic from 2002; use no pesticides, herbicides, and spray with nettle and horsetail to control pests. They allow grass to grow in between rows after plowing, and started their conversion to certified biodynamism in 2006.
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