Charles Joguet

Domaine Charles Joguet is a name that will resonate as one of the most famous names from Chinon in the Loire valley. An artist by trade, Charles gave up a promising career in painting and sculpture (although continued in his spare time) to turn winemaker at his family domaine in 1957. Although wines from Chinon were popular as far back as the 16th century, Charles Joguet’s considerable talents helped restore the Loire appellation back onto the modern-day fine wine map. Today the domaine is headed by Anne-Charlotte Genet and winemaker Kevin Fontaine who tend to the property’s organically farmed Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc vineyards. Charles was one of the first to spot the potential of individual plots in Chinon, and each of the domaine’s wines is carefully crafted to best show off its unique origins. Their top wines, Clos du Chêne Vert and Clos de la Dioterie are, if such a distinction existed in Chinon, almost certainly of Grand Cu quality and display excellent ageing potential.