Didier Chaffardon
Saint Jean des Mauvrets - Loire
Originally from Savoie, Didier arrived in Anjou at the end of 1996 and after working with winemakers in the area for nearly 10 years took over the 3ha that he now farms. The vineyards are made up of Chenin, Cabernet and Grolleau in 3 parcels planted on the schist of the Anjou noir and different types of clay.
Tasting in Didier’s cellar is something of a mystical experience. He jumps from tank to barrel, pipette in hand, Bach playing, extracting wines that each time leave us agape. These wines are certainly recognisable as their respective grapes but yet express something totally unique for the area. They are complex, deep and extremely drinkable. While the reds display crunchy fruit, firm tannins and occasionally the gaminess associated with Cab Franc and Grolleau the whites show all the possibilities of chenin; richness, minerality, acidity and sometimes residual sugar.
