Winemaker: Marc Ollivier
Grape: Melon de Bourgogne
Region: Loire, France
I love this Muscadet! And I was thrilled to find this wine on the Boston Legal Seafood’s wine list. And, for a very reasonable markup! You can’t find better wine to accompany their selection of oysters. This is one of those “perfect matches”. Kudos to their sommelier!
This delicious, crisp white wine comes from one of the three “Muscadet” regional sub-appellations: Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine, officially established in 1936. Wikipedia informs that the grape variety used for Muscadet – Melon de Bourgogne, was initially planted in the region sometime in or before the 17th century.
Grapes for Ollivier’s Muscadet are sourced from vineyards over 40 years old. All the vineyards are from original stock: he is the only grower in the Muscadet who does not have a single clonal selectionin his vineyards.
Marc Ollivier is taking a very special approach when it comes to his wines. Unlike many in the region, who are speeding up their fermentation process in order to release their wines as soon as possible, Marc is not rushing. He is one of not many that harvests by hand (to assure that only perfectly ripe grapes will end up in the fermentation tanks).
He then only uses natural yeasts and wait for the nature to do its work and completes the fermentation naturally, interrupting wine as little as possible. Basically, Marc’s wine is being bottled usually about 4-5 months later than most of his competitors in Loire.
Letting the wine age on its natural yeast cells (must) until it is bottled, gives this already excellent wine, another dimension. The result is a white wine with unbelievable flavor profile, depth and characteristics. Marc’s approach might not be so important to the most wine consumers – until they get the chance to taste Domaine de la Pépière Muscadet against any other.
Tasting notes:
Lovely light golden color and amazing aroma of wild flowers and citrus fruit. On the palate this wine is mineral, crisp and fresh with hints of lemon, lime and aromatic violets. Light to medium in the body, it brings symphony of flavors to your palate.
Perfectly balanced acidity makes it perfect match for shellfish or other seafood. Long finish makes you long for more. Thanks to a quality vines, low yields and very special vinification process, this wine can age for decade or more. And that can’t be said about every Muscadet.
Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 14.00
Ideal food pairing:
Oysters, oysters and oysters!!! Also, Seafood salad, Shrimp Criolli, My Happy Tilapia, Barquito de Anchoa and many more….
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