Romorantin
The Loire's Forgotten Monarch
Romorantin is grown in Cour-Cheverny, Loire and France.
- Tastes of
- citrus, honey, mineral and floral
- Goes with
- loire goat cheese, freshwater fish and asparagus
Where it grows
Cour-Cheverny, Loire and France
The story
Romorantin exists in one AOC only—Cour-Cheverny in the Loire. Legend says François I brought it from Burgundy in 1519. The grape makes austere, mineral whites that need years to show their best. It's France's loneliest noble grape.
Insider story
Only 80 hectares of Romorantin exist in the world.
François I may have planted it personally.
The wines are bracingly austere when young—then magic happens.
Technical deep dive
Medium-bodied white.
Green apple, citrus, intense minerality.
High acidity when young.
Needs 5-10 years.
Ages like Chenin Blanc.
Industry secrets
Romorantin is the somm's secret age-worthy Loire white.
10-year-old bottles are revelatory.
Herve Villemade makes the benchmark.
For collectors
Investment grade C+
- Auction records
- No auction market—too obscure
- Blue-chip producers
-
- Hervé Villemade
- Domaine de la Desoucherie
- Clos de Tue-Boeuf
- Value picks
- Cour-Cheverny AOC ($15-30)
- Price trend
- Stable. Cult following growing.
- Collector’s tip
- Age 10+ years. The acidity preserves perfectly.