Domaine La Croix Mélier - Les Outardes 2017 (demi-sec)

This semi-dry wine comes from a vineyard plot where great bustards—those large birds—have chosen to nest every year for ages. As for the wine, it is a deep golden Montlouis with green highlights and an expressive nose blending floral, fruity, and woody notes from the fermentation barrels. These aromas are complemented by candied lemon and a hint of bitterness on the finish, resulting in a well-balanced palate.

After studying at the “Viti” in Beaune and spending two years at La Croix Mélier while continuing to work intermittently as an actor, Philippe Ivancic took over in 2017 from Pascal Berthelot and his 12.5 hectares of vineyards (certified organic since 2022), which he cultivates with his wife, Dominique.

Montlouis-sur-Loire is the land that gives rise to fascinating Chenin wines in all their forms—sparkling, dry, delicate, or sweet. It is here that Philippe Weiss and Dominique Ivancic, who switched careers to become winemakers, chose to launch their venture. He was an actor in Paris; she was a microcredit development officer. After training at the Beaune wine school, they settled in Montlouis in 2017, a year marked by a devastating frost. But the couple kept the faith and, with great enthusiasm, determination, and hard work, converted the vineyards to organic farming. From the moment they arrived, they have produced honest, straightforward whites—whose rough edges contribute to their charm—with a freedom of expression that is anything but decadent.