Touraine, Loire Valley, France
Francois Chidaine, the master of Montlouis, has broadened his scope and brought his magical touch to the wonderful and varied terroirs of the greater Touraine. Fashioned from a blend of Cabernet Franc (50%), Cot (Malbec), and Pineau d’Aunis, Chidaine’s Touraine rouge opens with an opaque plum-ruby robe and deep aromas of cherry skin, black raspberries, cassis, calcareous earth, cocoa, and violet petals. Bright and snappy on the palate, this rouge from the superb 2019 Loire Valley harvest charms with fresh expressions of earthy red fruits alongside notes of tobacco, smoke, baker’s chocolate, and white pepper. Zesty and lingering, the wine finishes with further waves of black cherry fruit, rhubarb, stemmy herbs, and salty minerals. This is a fantastic wine that will prove a lovely rouge for traditional Thanksgiving fare and for cool weather cuisines. Pair now and over the coming two years with terrines, pates, cured meats, quiches, roast chicken, burgers, and roasted delicata squash.

Biodynamically Farmed