Vanessa Cherruau knew she could make high quality dry Chenin Blanc in the schist soils of the Loire Valley’s Anjou region. But when she debuted her 2019 vintage of Château de Plaisance, a historic estate she acquired on the prized Chaume hill, she was terrified that she would not be able to sell it.
Therefore, no one has been more surprised than Cherruau to see her wines so eagerly embraced—Château de Plaisance is unable to produce enough to meet demand. “Finally this region is getting recognition for dry Chenin Blanc,” she says. “The best are mineral and fresh with real texture and identity. I arrived at the right time, as the doors are very open now. The early pioneers had it so rough.” Read more about why Loire Chenin Blanc has seized the attenion of a new generation of winemakers—and wine drinkers.
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