Didier Dagueneau Les Jardins de Babylone Sec 2019

Didier Dagueneau Jurancon Jardins De Babylone 2009 750ml

Didier Dagueneau established his eponymous domaine in 1982 in the commune of Saint-Andelain in Pouilly-Fum, an appellation in the Loire Valley that makes dry white wines from Sauvignon Blanc. The wines from the domaine are highly regarded and some of the most sought-after in the wider central Loire (including Sancerre).

Dagueneau came from a family with multi-generational ties to winemaking and was related to Serge Dagueneau of Domaine Serge Dagueneau et Filles. Despite this, he did not pursue winemaking, instead opting to go into sidecar racing.

Although he retired from racing and subsequently took up sled dog racing, he also returned to the Loire to make wine under his own label. He became the enfant terrible of Pouilly-Fum by heavily and publicly criticizing the practices of his winemaking neighbors, at a time when the region was associated with high yields and accusations of vintage blending.

Dagueneau’s approach led to the revitalized image of not just Pouilly-Fum, but Sauvignon Blanc itself, and of Sancerre the appellation immediately across the Loire River. Dagueneau adopted biodynamics in 1993 (before it really took off elsewhere), tilled the land with horses, and severely reduced yields.