DILF wines definition: It’s that big-boy white, burgundy-style tipple that sexually attractive older men (typically ones with children) like to drink
Now we love a wild funky, unfiltered natural wine as much as the next Hackney-dwelling 40-something. But as we get older we can’t help but notice those around us straying towards something more classic, big statement-making bottles of wine that are favoured by the DILFs. Yes, today we want to talk about DILF wine, those big-boy tipples that the older, sexy gents among the city might be drinking.
Specifically, we are looking at one of the most classic, famous wine styles in the world: the buttery, white Chardonnays of Burgundy (and beyond). They are usually bold, punchy whites and whereas they might have had a bit of a stuffy image in the past, plenty of young winemakers are ensuring that there is new life in it yet…A little like the divorced DILF back on the market. Some of the most famous winemakers in Burgundy command huge prices but you can still find plenty of value tipples, whilst flexing your wine tastes.
To get some tips on what wines we should be looking out for, we spoke to Joe Haynes at Cloth in Farringdon, who confirmed that “we get a lot of these fine gents swanning about Farringdon, and they’re absolute magpies for one style of wine – White Burg. So, if you aspire to such titles, here are a few choice cuts from the Cloth list…”
Bachelet monnot, Bourgogne Blanc
Stalwarts of the region and extremely good value for the quality. Marc and Alexandre make balanced, precise, yet rich wines from 10 hectares of vines around the southern end of the cote de beaune. All of this domaine’s cuvée punch way above their weight and are real table pleasers – handy if you’re on a Tinder date.
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Domaine Payen, Savennières, La Plage Abandonnée
A Chenin in Chardonnay’s clothing. Ludovic took over this Loire estate in 2023 and has taken the 28 hectare vineyards into organic winemaking. A young and dynamic character, he has pushed quality through the roof since taking over. This flinty iteration of Savennieres is made from a single plot and only 1 barrel is produced every year. Fine, racy, and showing a bit of leg.
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Vincent Dauvissat, Chablis
The Gentleman’s choice -Dauvissat needs little introduction. His Chablis’ are the finest that I’ve had the pleasure of tasting. Aged in old, large foudre – they’re subtle, briny, and extremely age worthy – his red is also criminally underrated.
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Domaine La Vigne Mouton, Granit 35, Aligoté
A delicious Aligoté from Margaux and Valentin in the Macon. These guys fell in love in Beaune at Uni and took over this 7 hectare estate in 2019. Aged in carbon fibre tanks for 10 months, this is not your typical insipid, green Aligoté but rather a rich, opulent style made to compete with the best Chardonnay.
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Zueger, Steinhut Chardonnay
The Zueger brothers are great prodigies of Burgenland. They took over from their dad in 2020 at 16 and 18 years old, they now run the 20 hectare estate with their nan (who does their tractor work for them). This is a single vineyard Chardonnay from the top of the hill overlooking Oggau. Lots of limestone rocks drive a great core of minerality and texture and a bit of subtle oak ageing gives a lovely sweetness on the finish.
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Shafer, Red Shoulder Ranch
American Chardonnay can get a bad rap but if you’re willing to fork out a bit on this, you won’t be disappointed. From the Carneros region of Napa, it spends 14 months in 75% oak, the rest in stainless steel and gives you exactly what you want from California – a big, rich Chardonnay but with that refinement you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere in the region.
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DILF wines is the third article in our Pour Decisions series. If you liked this, check out our piece on Claret and Dry Tokaji. Cheers!
