Chenin and its wines form the foundation of our Saumur-based Maison’s identity, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. In both the vineyard and the cellar, our meticulous work using the traditional method and our strong guiding principles enhance its expression. Faced with climate change and driven by an ongoing quest for perfection, we also do not hesitate to evolve our viticultural practices, always in service of this quintessential Loire grape variety…
Chenin, the beating heart of Langlois Crémant de Loire
Cultivated in the Loire Valley since the 10th century, Chenin has naturally become the guiding thread of our French sparkling wines.
Through them, this quintessential Loire grape reveals a delicious harmony between finesse and intensity, while its lively character delicately supports a refreshing effervescence. Its nose and palate unfold a complex range of aromas: acacia and lime blossom, apricot, quince, lemon, pear, and even hints of honey.
However, the refined profile of this grape variety requires constant attention in the vineyard, which our team provides with great precision until it reaches optimal ripeness. Its blending with other Loire varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, also helps reveal new nuances of its personality…
In the Saumur region: ideal terroirs for this white grape variety
Coteaux Saint-Léger, Côtes de Saumur, Puy Notre-Dame and Montreuil-Bellay: our four major terroirs all benefit from a limestone base and climatic conditions perfectly suited to the flourishing of Chenin. Through our Loire wines, its remarkable elegance in turn allows it to express with outstanding precision the typicity of these exceptional vineyards.
Jean-François Liégeois, our Technical Director and winemaker, explains: “We are doubly fortunate: our limestone soils imprint an incomparable delicate aromatic lacework on our Chenin. The freshness of the Loire, in turn, provides a taut structure, so precious for the ageing of our sparkling wines.”
140 years of expertise dedicated to exceptional Chenin wines
Backed by long-standing winemaking experience, in-depth knowledge of our 62 hectares of vineyards, and precise technologies, our team is able to adapt perfectly to the demanding nature of Chenin, while constantly striving to push beyond the standards of the Crémant de Loire appellation.
In the vineyard first, each Chenin parcel is carefully cultivated on a tailored basis. To preserve berry quality, whole clusters are hand-harvested into low-height crates (40 cm) and then gently pressed: 150 kg of grapes yield 100 litres of must. The free-run juice and press wine are then separated to retain only the precious first juices.
We continue to enhance Chenin in the cellar through fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, adapted to the specific characteristics of each terroir. To preserve freshness, we prevent malolactic fermentation and use only neutral yeasts.
Following a strict blending process and a second fermentation in bottle, as required by the traditional method, our sparkling wines are aged for a minimum of eighteen months (instead of the required twelve) in our historic tuffeau cellars, with an additional three-month rest after disgorgement. This allows Chenin to fully develop its aromatic profile and faithfully express the character of its terroirs.
Organic viticulture and adapted practices
As with any grape variety, climate change impacts the way Chenin develops. Faced with this reality, we are convinced of one thing: it is not a major overhaul of our methods that will make the difference, but rather a series of small adjustments at every stage of our work in the vineyard and in the cellar.
With this in mind, our Maison has already evolved several of its practices and decisions: conversion of our Loire vineyards to organic farming starting in 2020 (they will be fully certified from the 2025 vintage onwards), development of agroforestry, more precise leaf removal management, adjustment of the harvest start date and duration, and improved efficiency in the winery… This is the condition for continuing to craft the finest possible Crémants de Loire.
Langlois Brut Réserve, our steadfast ambassador of Chenin
Representing more than 50% of the blend, it is indeed Chenin that gives our iconic Crémant de Loire Brut its distinctive signature. Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc subtly complement it, enhancing the refined structure of this sparkling Loire wine.
Thanks to a remarkable minimum of 10% reserve wines made exclusively from Chenin, this Brut Crémant consistently preserves the essence of our signature year after year: freshness, elegance, and complexity. Chenin is also a key ally in strengthening the role of these reserve wines within our Loire sparkling wines, offering ever greater depth to our style: its sharp profile, more pronounced than that of Chardonnay or Cabernet Franc, gives it excellent ageing potential.
Moreover, we are committed to selecting only the finest base wines during tasting. Chenin-based reserve wines therefore play a major role in defining the identity of Langlois Brut Réserve, as François-Régis de Fougeroux, our CEO, explains: “Putting our best base wines into reserve is a highly committed choice for us. We want our reserve wines to genuinely enhance the blend.”
Would you like to fully experience our expertise in Chenin and its wines? Our team invites you throughout the year to visit our cellars and vineyards, in the very heart of the Loire Valley…
