‘Jus de Terre’ Jasnières, Domaine Gigou

Age-worthy Chenin from this tiny Loire appellation

We’re on the Loir here, not the Loire, about an hour south of the racing town of Le Mans. Jasnières is a tiny appellation with just 70ha declared, Domaine Gigou have 8 of those. Ludovic Gigou is using old vines grown on silex-flecked clay soils to prouduce outstanding and ageworthy Chenin Blanc.

Jus de Terre is made with their younger vines – still between 20 – 30 years old – and is intended for youthful drinking. The wine is split into thirds to age in steel, chestnut barrel and fibreglass egg for 10 months. The finished wine has just 2-3g/l of residual sugar. Richer than you might be expecting, saline minerality and a red-apple ‘bite’, lots of thirst-quenching acidity lead to a very moreish quality.

Colour – White
Producer – Domaine Gigou
Country – France
Region – Loire
Vegan – No
ABV – 12.5%
Grapes – Chenin Blanc
Vintage – 2023
Sustainability – Organic
Female Winemaker – No
Food Pairings – Poultry, Veal