Domaine de la Pepiere, "Briords", Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Loire, France

Who - Marc Olivier, Remi Branger, Gwenaelle Croix, Domaine de la Pepiere
Where - Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Pays Nantais, Loire, France
What - White Wine - Melon de Bourgogne
When - 2024
How - Organic / Biodynamic, direct press, fermentation with natural yeasts in stainless steel, aged on lees in large underground glass lined cement tanks for 7-8 months, unfiltered, minimal sulphur added, vegan

Marc Olivier gave up his career as an engineer in the early 80's to return to the country for a slower pace of life. He took over his father’s (who grew but did not make wine) vineyards that he grew up around and begin pushing boundaries of what Muscadet can be. He converted to organics and later Biodynamics, strictly hand harvests, where many of his peers do not and experimented with ambient yeasts and exteeeended lees ageing (even for MSEM sur lie). He also purchased a neighbouring parcel called Clos de Briords where this wine is grown. The vines are now around 80 years old and unusually for Muscadet, the soil in Briords is rich in Granite de Thebaud amongst the sandy clay. This is great for water retention and allows the grapes to mature more slowly.

Vivacious with great tension, a lemon and grapefruit zing and a saline finish. Great with shellfish or goats cheese.