The Wine
Ahhhh, Muscadet! One of the under-appreciated great white wines of the Loire Valley and, arguably, one of the best oyster wines in the world, a very useful tidbit for those a bi-valve penchant.
And even if you aren't a fan of the briny shellfish, you'll find this wine to be a perfect, mouth-watering pairing that appeals to lovers of wines that are the antithesis of big, fruity whites. With notes of citrus (lemon/lime) and green apples, the wine finishes with pleasant notes of ground seashells. Six months on the fine lees helps round out this wine, bringing a bit of body and welcome richness.
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Pro tip - the grape behind this wine is the 'Melon de Bourgogne'.
Despite it's name, it NOT from the Bourgogne (Burgundy) region. And, despite the wine's name, the grape is not related to either Muscat or Muscatel!
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The Winery
The Chateau de la Courmerais is the very essence of a European fairy tale - a manor, surrounded by a moat crossed via draw-bridge, you can picture it, right? It even has a private chapel inside the confines.
The first records of the manor date back to 1420, and several decades later, is mentioned in a deed transfer from the Duchess who owned it to Julien de L'Isle as a reward for "Good and pleasant services rendered". Salacious.
The current owner, Thierry Besnard, has had the estate in his family since 1856, and in 1993 he began producing wine from the family's 17 acres of vines.
