Francois Chidaine is one of France’s most exciting young winemakers. His family-owned, biodynamically farmed domaine in the Loire Valley produces some of the most coveted Chenin Blanc on the market today. But while Chidaine may be blessed with talent, ambition, and desirable parcels in Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire, he seems to be cursed by the weather. In 2013 he lost most of his crop to a sudden June hailstorm, threatening the future of his winery.
Enter the Union des Gens de Métier. A coalition of like-minded winemakers in France and Italy, the UGM was founded in the 1980s by the late Didier Dagueneau, another Loire pioneer. Its members advocate a natural approach to terroir, viticulture and the environment, as well as a devotion to fraternité. In that spirit, they’ve donated 33 lots of wine to be auctioned in our 26 March sale (Fine and Rare Wines including the collection of R.A.B Bottomely), with all proceeds to benefit Chidaine. There’s truly something for everyone: double-magnums of Jean-Marc Roulot's Meursault Les Perrières, Varja Barolo Bricco delle Viole, even cider and Poiré from Eric Bordelet. See below for a full list of lots. Estimates begin at £70, making this opportunity accessible to a wide variety of wine lovers and collectors. If you’d like to participate and show your support, you can register here.
Check back on the Art Digest every Thursday for more wine content from Christie's specialists. including a chart of our top 20 priced wines at auction in 2014, or visit the Wine Department homepage.