Xavier Frissant is another producer focusing on local grape varieties, grown on his 22 hectares domaine in the South of the Loire in the commune of Mosnes, halfway between Blois and Amboise. The soil profile is clay/ chalk, with outcrops of stones and sand. Starting out with just 5 hectares in 1990, Xavier has grown his domaine parcel by parcel over the years since. Mainly planted on the slopes overlooking the Loire, he works his vines with the greatest respect for nature. He chooses to have a natural grass cover and works the soil diligently and sensitively.
Since 1994, Xavier has been working with an ancient ‘forgotten’ grape variety and a cousin of Sauvignon Blanc: Fié Gris (aka sauvignon gris), which is characterised by its pale pink flesh. With so much average Sauvignon Blanc produced locally, we were extremely pleased to discover this knockout Fié Gris, a richer and more exotic white in the same vein as Sauvignon. The Touraine Sauvignon is crafted with the same focus and care.