Ch Guipiere Gros Plant du Pays Nantais Sur Lie L'Ecailler

The Wine

A bone-dry, mineral-driven white wine from the Loire Valley’s Atlantic coast, where wines are known for their zippy, saline nature. Often seen as the perfect pairing for oysters and shellfish, once again proving the old chestnut "what grows together, goes together". In this case, the Pays Nantais is where the Loire river empties into the Atlantic, so what "grows" here is seafood and river fish, eels and oysters. The winery name even translates as either "Fish Monger" or "oyster shucker".

This is the winery's flagship bottling, made from the obscure grape Gros Plant (AKA Folle Blanche, which is equally obscure to most American wine lovers!). Extended aging on the lees helps add texture and softness, and the wine boasts a mineral-driven finish.

Pairings: It’s a natural partner for oysters, mussels, crab, and shrimp, and also shines with sushi, ceviche, or goat cheese.

The Winery

Certified HVE Level 3 (Haute Valeur Environnementale), Château Guipière is committed to sustainable viticulture, emphasizing biodiversity, reduced chemical inputs, and responsible water management. The estate is located in the heart of the Loire’s Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine appellation, though Gros Plant wines like L’Écailler fall under the separate Gros Plant du Pays Nantais AOP.