Didier Dagueneau, one of the greatest Sauvignon Blanc producers in the world, has died in a flying accident at the age of 52.
Dubbed 'one of the greatest winemakers of our generation' by renowned consultant Denis Dubourdieu, Dagueneau was known worldwide as an outspoken and brilliant winemaker.
Unlike many winemakers in the Pouilly Fumé and Sancerre regions, Dagueneau did not start his career in wine and raced sidecars in his youth. He said it was only after 'two falls in quick succession' that he went into winemaking.
Even after settling on winemaking, he remained true to the pursuit of reckless sports, making a name for himself in the world of sled dog racing, in which he won the European and world championships.
He was killed yesterday, in a microlite accident in the Dordogne region of France. According to reports, the microlite stalled after take-off, plunging 50m before hitting the ground. One other person was seriously injured.
Constantly on the quest to make the greatest Sauvignon Blanc in the world, he produced several wines from vineyards scattered around his winery in St-Andelin, in Pouilly Fumé. Notable wines included Buisson-Renard (orginally the vineyard was called Buisson-Ménard, until a renowned French wine writer misread the label), Pur Sang, and Silex – perhaps his most famous wine.
Dagueneau also produced the exhorbitantly-priced Asteroïde cuvée from 18 lines of ungrafted vines. He also made wines from a vineyard in the steep Monts-Damnés region of Sancerre, and produced a sweet Jurancon with friend Guy Pautrat.
Known as the 'wild man of the Loire', Dagueneau was equally notorious for his outspoken opinions, frequently attacking winemakers in the region for their lax attitude towards winegrowing and winemaking practices.
He was equally critical of members of his family.
'I had a few scores to settle with the family,' he said. 'So I decided to make wine, to make better wine than them. That was my first motivation. So I decided to make the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Not at all pretentious for someone who's been making wine for two years.'
He us survived by his partner Suzanne, and four children.
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Hello. There is nothing on Didier Dagueneau on Wikipedia – it would be great if someone who really knew him and his wines could add him to Wikipedia – he more than deserves it, and it would be great for the world of wine. With best wishes
Francois de Broglio, Private Client Sales Manager, Armit Wines
As someone who has massively enjoyed Didier's wines on the few glorious occasions when I had the opportunity to taste them, I mourn the loss of my favourite winemaker and wine personality. Didier, his wines and attitude will certainly be missed.
Dave, Ireland
Didier Dagueneau was either loathed or loved, but his character would not leave anyone indifferent… He surely was a great winemaker, his wines were and still are an understatement…
Few of his cuvees are remaining around and we can fear a drastic increase in prices pretty soon, which is both sad and frustrating for all wine lovers. I still hold a vertical of Silex '06, '05, '04 and some Pur Sang '04, those wines are rare, now they become priceless.
Au Revoir l'Artiste!!! And say hello to Bacchus for me.
Olivier Gasselin, Head Sommelier - Bluebird restaurant, London, UK
In my mind he will be greatly missed... Condolence to family & friends...
Paul, Norway
Didier was an example for me and my colleagues during my winemaking studies. We will miss his free mind and the way he pushed others into making better.
Damien D'Ovidio, area manager, Castel Asia, Tokyo, Japan
I was tremendously shocked to hear of the death of Didier Dageaneau. Silex is, for me, one of the truly greatest expressions of the Sauvignon blanc grape in an exceptional 'terroir' made by one of the world's greatest winemakers! I shall treasure my last few remaining bottles of his 2004 Silex and Pur Sang. No doubt, Didier, you will teach God how to make wine!
Mitch, Caviste, Dordogne
I was at a tasting yesterday evening, and sipping a mouthful of Didier's sublime Jurancon when I first heard the news of his death. The comment that was made by those in attendance who had met him and who knew him was that at least he had met his end doing one of the things that he most loved. Young, aspiring winemaker relatives of my wife's family in France have spent time working alongside and learning from Didier and, by all accounts, beneath the strong and opinionated personality was a kind, passionate and generous man. It is no surprise to have heard that his friends, from all parts, are now rallying behind the family in order to assist in the harvest which is very shortly to begin.
We who did not know him were fascinated by the originality and force of his personality, each of which fairly flew off the written page, and were (in my case) utterly seduced by his wines.
His legacy to the world of wine includes the truly magnificent wines that he created and left behind. His 2005 Silex, first offered to me by his friend and fellow winemaker, Pierre Fort (ex Chateau Tracy and now of Domaine Mouscaillou), provided one of those treasured, epiphanous moments which define the winelovers endless search for original, natural, inspired and thus excellent wines.
He will be mourned and much missed.
Colin Wynter
My deepest condolences.
Jocelyn Pinsler, Chicago, Illinois, USA
My thought are for Benjamin, Didier's son, for whom the path of the creator of "La Quitessence de Mes Roustons" will be as challenging as rewarding. Salut Didier! Tu nous laisses bien triste.
Chris Delalonde, The Square, London, UK
“One by one
Only the good die young
They're only flying too close to the sun
And life goes on -
Without you...”
Didier Dagueneau will be deeply missed!
Roberto Della Pietra, Head Sommelier/Wine Buyer, Roussillon Restaurant, London, UK
My traveling buddies and I are having a dinner here in San Francisco which will feature two bottles of Silex 1999 and a 2003... We will be raising our glasses to M. Dagueneau and share our personal thoughts based on our meeting him and his son Benjamin last year at his wind swept hilltop winery in France. His artistry in the vineyards will be greatly missed.
Robert Jasso Painting
So sad that another star burns out so young. Having had the luck to pick up a couple of bottles of Silex and the extreme pleasure of drinking them I am left with a fabulous reference point for Sauvignon Blanc – the vibrancy of those wines will never leave my memory. My only regret is that I was unable to get to meet the man and his vines. I can only offer my condolences and thoughts are to his family and friends.
Andy Whiteman, Devon, UK
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Oliver Styles
Hello. There is nothing on Didier Dagueneau on Wikipedia – it would be great if someone who really knew him and his wines could add him to Wikipedia – he more than deserves it, and it would be great for the world of wine. With best wishes
