La Grange Tiphaine, 2014 Update
Having visited, revisited and then visited again in Vouvray, I was hoping to spend some time in Montlouis-sur-Loire this year as well. Unfortunately the passing of time combined with other commitments was against me, and so I expect my next opportunity to check out what is happening in this appellation, in particular with stalwarts François Chidaine and Jacky Blot, will be at next year’s Salon des Vins de Loire.
Even so, I did manage to meet up with the ever-elegant Coralie Delecheneau (pictured above) to taste some of the latest releases from her and husband Damien Delecheneau. This is not the best known domaine in the Montlouis-sur-Loire appellation, but it can be difficult for smaller domaines to shine through in the presence of the very dominant names already mentioned, just as some lesser-known but very interesting domaines in Vouvray are overshadowed by the presence of Domaine Huet, Philippe Foreau and peers. Nevertheless Damien is a dedicated vigneron who practices exacting methods in the vineyards. He is committed to the health of his vineyards and the quality of his wines. Of note, he is the only vigneron in Montlouis-sur-Loire (that I am aware of, at least) to join the recent initiative, led by Vincent Carême in Vouvray, to plough part of his vineyards using horse.
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