Camplices de Loire
Loire Valley, France
Complices de Loire was founded in 2010 by François-Xavier Barc and Gérald Vallée, two winemakers with roots in Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil. Based in the Loire Valley, the business works across a wide range of appellations, producing wines that showcase the region’s different grapes, soils and styles. It combines the flexibility of a négociant-éleveur, sourcing grapes and making wines from several appellations, with fruit from its own 28 hectares of vineyards in Loir-et-Cher, which it began cultivating in 2015.
The range covers plenty of Loire ground. Sauvignon Blanc features in Touraine, Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, while Chenin Blanc takes centre stage in Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire. For reds, Cabernet Franc is the main event in appellations such as Chinon, Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny. The wines are made in tanks and barrels, with an emphasis on preserving fruit while reflecting the character of each appellation.
Complices de Loire also has an organic range, including Cabernet Franc from several Loire appellations and wines made from Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Its more limited cuvées explore individual vineyard sites and different ageing methods, including French oak and amphora. This gives the portfolio room to move between fresh, uncomplicated bottles and more structured wines with extra depth.
The appeal here is variety without losing sight of the Loire’s identity. A fresh, citrus-led Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine has a very different job to do from a mineral, flinty Pouilly-Fumé, while Cabernet Franc can be juicy and easy-going or more savoury and structured depending on its origin. Chenin adds another dimension, working beautifully in dry whites and sparkling wines.
Complices de Loire is a useful producer to know for exploring the breadth of the region. Rather than concentrating on a single appellation, it brings together several Loire styles under one roof, with an approach that balances regional character, careful winemaking and everyday drinkability.
