Moulin Touchais

On the banks of the river Layon in the beautiful Loire valley exists one of the world's largest and oldest single wine stocks. Miles of underground cellars contain a rare collection dating back to the 1800's.

Remarkable bottles, - many over a century old - are occasionally uncorked and more often than not the  experience is incredible: for the wines are undiminished with the passing of the years - rather, they  possess a vitality and elegance that is completely unexpected. These are the sweet Chenin Blanc wines of  Moulin Touchais. Since 1787, the Moulin Touchais cellars together with the surrounding vineyards have been owned and managed by eight generations of the Touchais family.

The vineyards are amongst the most famous in the Anjou area.

The methods of viticulture and vinification have changed little over the years and are still based on the traditional values of low-yields, careful harvesting and meticulous winemaking; particularly during pressing and the long fermentation period. The grapes are hand-picked in several stages. In fact  one of the secrets of Moulin Touchais' longevity and complexity is this harvesting strategy: 20% of the grapes are picked around 80 days after flowering while the fruit is still under-ripe and loaded with acidity, the other 80% is harvested late (as late as one hundred and twenty days after flowering) generally yielding fruit with very high sugar levels and concentrated flavours. High acidity and high sugar levels ultimately determine Moulin Touchais' opulent style: smooth and elegant. Only the healthiest grapes are chosen; the pips are removed and the must is clarified by decanting before beginning the slow fermentation process which is spread over several weeks. The wine is bottled early; between the end of February and early March following the harvest.

Only the best vintages will leave the cellars under the Moulin Touchais name after a minimum of ten years cellarage - a good Anjou will only begin to indicate its qualities after a decade. The Chenin Blanc grape, brought to an overripe stage but generally unaffected by noble rot due to the geographic situation of the area gives Moulin Touchais its outstanding freshness and typically fine, beautifully balanced acidity which lingers on the lips and on the palate.

The wines of Moulin Touchais begin reaching their peak after twenty years, although many of the great vintages take much
longer. Great vintages such as the 1953, 1959, 1964, 1969 are still maturing. The 1945, 1947 and 1949 have become classics.

Moulin Touchais are the only winemakers in the world who give a CENTURY LONG GUARANTEE ON THE LONGEVITY OF THEIR
WINES (subject to being kept under optimal cellar conditions). Bottles may show some sediment or deposit. One should
understand this is due to the traditional filtration process, the main aim being to protect the colour, the bouquet and the depth
of flavour of the wine.