# La Grange aux Belles Les Moyens du Bord (2025)

- **Producer:** Domaine La Grange aux Belles
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chenin Blanc
- **Region:** Loire, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 11.0%
- **Average price:** €17
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, pear, peach, lemon, lime

## About this wine

Domaine La Grange aux Belles was established in 2004 by Marc Houtin, a former geologist who chose to pursue viticulture after completing enological studies in Toulouse. Joined in later years by Julien Bresteau and Gérald Peau, the estate comprises 15 hectares in Anjou Noir. In 2014, the domaine voluntarily resigned from the official AOC classification to gain total viticultural and stylistic freedom under Vin de France. The name Les Moyens du Bord translates roughly to making do with what is available, capturing the energetic, immediate spirit of early-picked Chenin Blanc.

## Interesting facts

- Founder Marc Houtin abandoned a corporate geology career to start the winery in 2004.
- The estate voluntarily resigned from the AOC system in 2014 to make unrestricted natural wines.
- The name 'Les Moyens du Bord' roughly translates to 'making do with what's available'.

## Food pairing

The vibrant acidity and crisp minerality of early-harvested Chenin Blanc slice through the rich fats of regional goat cheeses like Crottin de Chavignol. The wine's clean salinity seamlessly lifts delicate seafood and raw fish dishes without masking their subtle flavors.

## Wine making process

Sourced primarily from estate Chenin Blanc vines grown on talcose schist soils in Soulaines-sur-Aubance. The grapes are hand-harvested in small 20 kg crates during the first harvest pass across the vineyards. The whole clusters undergo direct pneumatic pressing followed by spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged in neutral oak barrels between 5 and 10 years old, then bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulfur addition.