Francois Chidaine 2021 Vin De France Chenin Blanc "Le Chenin d'Ici", Languedoc

We’ve said it before and we will say it again, Francois Chidaine is a master of Chenin Blanc, and that means Chenin Blanc from anywhere, not just the Loire Valley where he is exalted as one of the best Montlouis producers there is. Francois owns his plots in Montlouis but due to a string of devastating vintages, destroyed and ravaged by frost and hail, Francois was forced to source fruit from other regions in France. He found a likeminded grower of Chenin Blanc in Languedoc and was able to purchase enough fruit to make this delightful wine. Still has all that Chenin Blanc character, plenty of stone fruit, spice and honied lemon rind, but with a touch less weight and curve on the palate. Great wine for seafood, pork, simple salads and as always, with goat cheese and dishes with plenty of fresh herbs.