A hidden terroir
The Story of an Exceptional Appellation
On the left bank of the Loire, between Vouvray and Tours, lies a vineyard of understated beauty yet unique character: Montlouis-sur-Loire.
It is here that the Montlouis-sur-Loire Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée was established in 1938, recognized for the purity of its wines and the distinctive character of its grape variety, Chenin Blanc.
This classification was the result of a long pursuit of excellence led by generations of winemakers, determined to defend the identity of a singular terroir. The Loire, a natural and protective boundary, marks the separation between the Vouvray and Montlouis appellations, while uniting both banks through a shared passion for wine and the land.
Today, Maison Laudacius, the cooperative winery of Montlouis-sur-Loire, continues this legacy by combining ancestral know-how with a commitment to sustainability. Each bottle from this terroir tells a part of this story, shaped by patience, climate, and respect for living systems.
Soils of Rare Richness
A terroir shaped by the Loire
The Montlouis vineyard is rooted in a mosaic of soils:
- Sands and gravels at the surface, bringing finesse and lightness to the wines,
- Clay and flint, lending power and minerality,
- Tuffeau, the Loire’s pale limestone stone, which retains water and gently releases heat.
This unique combination offers Chenin Blanc an exceptional canvas for expression, where each parcel reveals a distinct nuance.
A temperate and luminous climate
Sheltered by the Loire, the vineyard benefits from a temperate oceanic microclimate. Winters are mild, summers are sunny, and autumn mists encourage slow grape ripening. This alternation of light and freshness shapes the perfect balance between acidity and sweetness, a hallmark of Montlouis-sur-Loire wines.
The Loire, vital breath of the vineyard
An iconic and untamed river, the Loire is far more than a backdrop: it shapes the landscape, influences the climate, and nourishes the vines. Its reflections, mists, and rhythm bring a unique sense of breath to this discreet terroir.
Each harvest is a conversation between river and land, between the winemaker and nature.
Chenin Blanc
An emblematic grape variety
A symbol of the Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc finds in Montlouis its most authentic birthplace of expression.
A demanding and delicate grape variety, it captures the light of the river, the richness of the soil, and the patience of the winemakers to give birth to wines of infinite diversity.
Dry, sweet, or sparkling, Montlouis Chenin embodies both the purity of fruit and the depth of terroir. Its ability to reflect every nuance of the soil makes it a true interpreter of the Loire.
At Maison Laudacius, we celebrate Chenin as a promise: that of sincere, elegant, and vibrant wines—witnesses to a discreet terroir, passed down from generation to generation.
