The growers in Montlouis have suffered greatly these past few years due to frost and hail damage leaving many of them in a rather precarious position financially despite their best efforts.
Exilé is a range of wines that was created by Lise and Bertrand Jousset from grapes sourced elsewhere in France. The name exilé or exiled seems appropriate as not only do they purchase grapes from another terroir in the south of France but Lise and Bertrand leave their own territory to go and source them from like minded growers who work in the same way as them.
The main reason for producing an additional range such as this is of course financial, to give them something to sell when stocks of their own Loire wines are so low. This is why these wines are sold in the Vin de France (the table wine category) as the grape varieties used are not permitted within the Montlouis appellation (Chenin Blanc only).
The 2017 Exilé is a blend of Chenin, Colombard and Ugni Blanc and has had no wood ageing. It’s light, fresh and dry. Fruity and crisp with nice minerality. A perfect aperitif wine that we enjoyed very much.
Lise and Bertrand Jousset are based in Montlouis-sur-Loire and we’re delighted to say that we’ll be very close to them when we relocate to Touraine after Christmas.
