Loire presentation at the Cambridge Wine Shop

In Cambridge to present the Loire and some of its wines at the Cambridge Wine Shop this evening. Good range of wines from Muscadet to Pouilly including a Sancerre Rouge and a 2011 from the Coteaux du Layon. Should be fun! 

 Shows the popularity of cycling in Cambridge!

 Part of the CWS's Loire selection 

L'Inédit, Coteaux du Giennois – 100% Pinot Noir

Not in tonight's tasting but worth trying 

2013 La Grange VV Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin

 2013 La Grange VV Muscadet Sèvre & Maine sur lie 

Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin

Following on from the 2013 Pierre de la Grange enjoyed recently the 2013 La Grange Vielles Vignes is a more concentrated and age-worthy Muscadet Sèvre & Maine sur lie from a plot planted on mica-schist in 1974. The 2013 La Grange is still very youthful and will certainly be worth keeping for several years when it will show greater complexity. 

You can tell from the difference in the shape of the bottle – Burgundian shaped – used for the 2013 La Grange Vieilles Vignes that the Luneaus consider this a more serious wine than the Pierre de la Grange, for which they retain the traditional Muscadet flute shaped bottle. The Luneaus have decided to abandon the traditional Muscadet bottle for most of their range opting instead for a Burgundian bottle to show that their wines deserve to be taken seriously and to move away from the still too prevalent and unfair down-market image reserved for Muscadet. 

(This is one of a range of samples from the current Domaine Luneau-Papin range.)            

Burgundian shaped bottle for La Grange

2013 La Grange VV back label

A quartet from Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin

 2010 L d'Or, Muscadet Sèvre & Maine sur Lie

(above and below)

A quartet of wines from top Muscadet producer Pierre Luneau-Papin – 2010 L d'Or, 2013 Froggy Wine, 2013 Folle Blanche and Luneau Brut. 

L d'Or has been a flagship of the estate since it was first launched in 1976. It ages brilliantly and has, over the years, surprised many people who thought that Muscadet had to be drunk young – DYA (drink youngest available). This 2010 is still very young and fresh but with attractive weight. Although enjoyable to drink now it will gain complexity over the next decade or more.

  

 2013 Froggy Wine, Muscadet Sèvre & Maine sur lie 

(above and below)

  

The Froggy Wine Muscadet is intended to dispel some of the mystique that often surrounds wine and to appeal to a younger generation as well as the export market. It should not, however, be dismissed as a frivolous wine. This is a well made Muscadet to either drink now but will keep several years. It calls out to be closed under screwcap.  

 2013 Folle Blanche, Gros Plant du Pays Nantais sur lie

Gros Plant has suffered from a poor reputation – lean and acid. However, well made and from good grapes it can be delicious as this wonderfully vibrant 2013 is. Yes it has acidity but is is ripe as is the fruit. Bring on the oysters – a brilliant match!   

Luneau Brut

The Luneau sparkling is a blend of 40% Melon de Bourgogne, 30% Folle Blanche (Gros Plant), 20% Chardonnay and 10% Cabernet (vinified as a white). The grapes come from a parcel of 40 year-old vines. It spends five months on its lees before being bottled for its secondary fermentation. It spends 18 to 24 months minimum sur latte. 

I find this the least convincing wine from the Luneau stable. Although pleasant enough, it is too frothy and 'soapy' and not on the same level as the still wines – both Muscadet and the very good Folle Blanche.   

(Bottles were given by the domaine as samples.)

 

Bienvenue Joseph Luneau et santé!

 2007 Le L d'Or, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie, 

Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin

 Joseph Luneau

 2007 Le L d'Or, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie, 

Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin

Last evening we celebrated the recent arrival of Joseph Luneau (son of Marie and Pierre-Marie Luneau) with an excellent bottle of the 2007 Le L d'Or from Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin. Still wonderfully fresh with no sign that this is now six years old. Attractive citric flavours with some floral notes, delicate texture and good length and a delicious match with the plainly grilled gilthead bream bought from our local fish shop Billings in Sydenham (London SE26).  

Burgundy? No Muscadet actually!

1993 Manoir La Grange, Muscadet de Sèvre & Maine, Pierre Luneau-Papin

On Thursday evening when I handed CRM a glass of golden wine her immediate reation was "Burgundy?" "A Puligny or Chassagne Montrachet?" Not at all, although yes the wine had a clear resemblance to mature white Burgundy and it also has a family connection to Burgundy through its grape variety – Melon de Bourgogne. The 1993 from Pierre Luneau-Papin had a lovely evolved buttery character, good weight and texture while remaining fresh and clean in its long finish. It was a fine match with our grilled sea bass bought from Billings in Sydenham. 

This Manoir la Grange was vinified in oak. 

Geeky detail! I notice that the label says Muscadet de Sèvre & Maine and this is in line with other bottles from the same period. At some point the de was dropped, as the appellation is now Muscadet Sèvre etc. Must check when this happened. Does anyone know please?

Who said Muscadet doesn't age! I'm sure we could have kept this 1993 for a number of more years without it spoiling.

Good Muscadet is one of the wine world's great bargains. Worried that Burgundy prices are going sky high after last weekend's Hospice de Beaune auction? Time to explore the wines of the Pays Nantais!