Wine: LaCheteau Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur Lie “Les Brouardieres”

Country: France

Region: Loire Valley

Designation: Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOP

Brand/Producer: LaCheteau

Grape Varietal: 100% Melon de Bourgogne

ABV: 12%

Type: White

Code: 1845

Tasting Note

An expressive aromatic wine with a pleasant floral bouquet accentuated with tropical fruit notes. The flavours are fresh on the palate developing into a medium bodied wine with lush citrus and layers of pineapple and papaya. The “sur lie” aging is evident in the biscuit notes in the finish

Producer

LaCheteau is first and foremost a family business founded by André Lacheteau in 1987, based in Anjou. André has built a reputation which stretches far beyond the French borders thanks to his dynamism and passion for the Loire terroirs. LaCheteau is exported to over 50 countries and the portfolio covers all regions of the Loire Valley from the Pays Nantais (the Muscadet region) to Anjou and Saumur, Touraine and the vineyards of the Centre area (Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé).

Winemaking

Melon de Bourgogne (also known just as Muscadet) grapes are harvested from select plots in the “Le Brouardieres” vineyard in the Loire Valley southeast of the city of Nantes. 

Winemaking focuses on the integrity of fruit aromas and flavours so maceration and fermentation takes place in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks. The wine is further matured “sur lie”. This is a technique whereby the wine rests on the dead yeast cell left over after fermentation; these are the lees. The wine is stirred regularly to enhance the biscuit brioche flavours from the spent yeasts. This takes place at a cool temperature for up to 9 months before filtration and bottling

Fun Fact

Why is Muscadet called Muscadet?

While most appellation d'origine contrôlée and appellation d'origine protogee wines are named after their growing region, or in Alsace after their variety, the name Muscadet refers to an alleged characteristic of the wine produced by the melon grape variety: “vin qui a un goût musqué” (wine with a musk-like taste).

Food pairing

Perfect as an aperitif, Muscadet is famous as a partner for all types of fish and seafood dishes, especially shellfish au nature.