{"product_id":"ferme-de-la-sansonniere-coteau-du-houet-2021","title":"Ferme de la Sansonniere Coteau du Houet 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eFerme de la Sansonnière Coteau du Houet 2021 is a characterful Loire Chenin Blanc from one of the region’s benchmark natural wine estates. Crafted in tiny quantities, it marries purity of fruit with a deep, almost tactile expression of its Anjou terroir. This is a wine for those who appreciate artisanal, low‑intervention whites with real energy and soul.\n\nThe unique selling point of Coteau du Houet lies in its combination of old-vine Chenin, meticulous biodynamic farming and minimal-intervention cellar work, resulting in a wine that feels both vivid and quietly complex. Distinctive notes of orchard fruit, subtle spice and mineral tension distinguish it from more conventional Loire whites. Ferme de la Sansonnière, founded by the influential vigneron Mark Angeli, has played a key role in reviving the reputation of Anjou Chenin Blanc, helping to put this corner of the Loire firmly back on the fine-wine map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2021 Coteau du Houet shows a luminous pale gold to straw hue, with a slight viscosity that hints at concentration. Swirl it, and you’ll see fine, slow legs forming on the side of the glass.\n\nThe nose opens with ripe pear, yellow apple and quince, followed by layers of white blossom, chamomile and a touch of fresh honeycomb. With air, more savoury and mineral nuances emerge—wet stone, lanolin, and a faint hint of beeswax and spice. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied yet intense, with a precise, driving acidity that keeps everything focused. Flavours of orchard fruits, citrus zest, lightly caramelised lemon and a saline, chalky undertone unfold across the mid-palate, finishing with a long, mouthwatering, mineral finish. The texture is both silky and structured, giving a sense of depth without heaviness.\n\nWhile delicious in its youth, the 2021 has the structure and acidity typical of top Chenin Blanc, suggesting very good aging potential. Expect it to gain complexity over 5–10 years, developing more honeyed, nutty and waxy notes while retaining its core of freshness if well stored.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCoteau du Houet comes from carefully tended Chenin Blanc vines in Anjou, in the heart of the Loire Valley, where schist and clay-limestone soils lend a distinct mineral backbone and tension to the wine. Ferme de la Sansonnière farms biodynamically, with great emphasis on soil life, low yields and manual work in the vineyard to ensure perfectly healthy, balanced fruit at harvest. Grapes are picked by hand in successive passes through the vineyard, allowing only optimally ripe clusters to be selected. In the cellar, the philosophy is one of gentle, low‑intervention winemaking: grapes are typically pressed slowly, the must is allowed to ferment with indigenous yeasts, and the wine is aged in neutral vessels (often older barrels) to preserve terroir character rather than add overt oak flavour. Sulphur is used sparingly, if at all, and intervention is kept to a minimum to let the site and vintage speak clearly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Chenin Blanc is a versatile gastronomic partner and shines with a range of dishes built around freshness and finesse. Pair it with shellfish (oysters, scallops, poached prawns), white fish with beurre blanc, roast chicken with herbs, goat’s cheese (especially Loire classics like Crottin de Chavignol), or vegetable dishes featuring fennel, leek, celeriac or mushrooms. It also works beautifully with lightly spiced Asian-inspired cuisine where acidity and subtle sweetness are in balance.\n\nServe at around 10–12°C: cooler for an aperitif style, slightly warmer to reveal its full aromatic spectrum at the table. A brief decant of 20–30 minutes, or simply opening the bottle a little in advance, can help the wine unfurl its layered aromatics and textural complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFerme de la Sansonnière is the estate of renowned vigneron Mark Angeli in Anjou, Loire, and is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of high-quality, naturally made Chenin Blanc in the region. Established in the late 20th century, the domaine embraced organic and then biodynamic farming early on, at a time when such practices were far from mainstream. Its wines have become reference points for expressive, terroir-driven Chenin, helping to redefine the reputation of Anjou on the world stage. Known for low yields, meticulous vineyard work and minimal-intervention winemaking, Ferme de la Sansonnière has inspired a new generation of Loire growers and is frequently cited among the most influential names in the natural and artisanal wine movement.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ferme de la Sansonnière","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54255180939601,"sku":"XW-52942","price":122.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/ferme-de-la-sansonniere-coteau-du-houet-2021_52942_1_b7ddd1bc-6fba-4b65-a06e-463c08b0b549.webp?v=1783456999","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/ferme-de-la-sansonniere-coteau-du-houet-2021","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}