For this month’s wine club selection, we have three incredible wines from France! France is well-known throughout the world as a premium producer of wine. To showcase some of the different wines from this amazing country, we have chosen a couple unique offerings. From the little-known region of Muscadet Serve-et-Main in the Loire Valley is a white Melon de Bourgogne with citrus notes & bright acidity. There is a Cinsault blend from the warm coast of Languedoc-Roussillon. And the box is rounded out with a classic and affordable Bordeaux blend from famed producer Jean Medeville.
Domaine des Quatre Routes Muscadet Sèrve-et-Main Sur Lie 2023
This white wine is made from Melon de Bourgogne. The grapes are hand-harvested and the aging process takes place in glass coated tanks for 8 months, and then fermentation sur lie for 6 months prior to bottling. The palate has flavorful citrus with a lovely acidity, and a touch of minerality that lingers on the finish. Pairs beautifully with any seafood, particularly oysters.
The Producer: Maison Henri Poiron
Maison Henri Poiron traces its winemaking roots to the early 1800s. The family estate Domaine des Quatre Routes consists of 40 hectares in Maisdon sur Sèvre, in the center of the Muscadet wine region outside of Nantes. Eric Poiron now runs the domaine, where he makes traditional Muscadet sur lie from 3 specific sites, using sustainable farming methods and both manual and machine harvesting. The domaine follows the principles of Terra Vitis, an organization that promotes using only natural products, no chemical pesticides or herbicides, and farming techniques that respect nature and the patrimony of the land.
The Region: Muscadet Sèrve-et-Main (Loire Valley)
Muscadet Sèreve-et-Main is located on the central western coast of France, close to where the Loire River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine is made solely from Melon de Bourgogne, a grape variety brought to the western Loire from Burgundy, as the name suggests. Alluvial soil types have led to an abundance of mineral deposits, which come through in the wine.
The Grape: Melon de Bourgogne
This white wine white grape is originally from Burgundy and is now mostly grown in the Loire Valley. It requires careful cultivation to bring out its delicate flavors. Muscadet producers further enhance its profile by using the sur lie method.
This fresh red wine is a blend of Grenache and Cinsault, with a little bit of Carignan, Syrah, and Alicante Bouchet. It has bright fruit flavors, silky tannins, and a slightly spicy finish. It is aged in both oak and stainless steel. Pair this easy-drinking everyday wine with a charcuterie plate.
The Producer: Domaine d’Aupilhac
The Fadat family have farmed this 18-hectare domaine since the nineteenth century. It sits 1,200 feet above sea level, nestled below the ruins of the village’s château. Over the last several decades, Sylvain Fadat has worked hard to plant vineyards on the steep, rocky terrain, even terracing he land himself. He obtained organic certification and tends the vines carefully. In his words, “We believe that work in the vineyards has far more influence on a wine’s quality than what we do in the cellar.” Domaine d’Aupilhac’s wines find a terrific balance of ripe fruit and silky tannins, power, and grace.
The Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
The Languedoc-Roussillon region spans the Mediterranean coast and borders southern Spain. The climate is warm and arid with plenty of sunlight. The region is best known for its red wine blends, with distinct “south of France” essence, but they also produce, whites, rosés, sparkling, and fortified wines. The Languedoc and Roussillon were two separate provinces for many years, and Roussillon was part of Spain until the seventeenth century. Today, Languedoc-Roussillon is used to describe wines from this general area, though the it is not an official French wine designation (smaller AOCs and categories exist within the region).
This classic red Bordeaux is made mostly with Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) and some Merlot (20%). It is smooth and supple with aromas of crisp dark fruits. The wine is fermented in tanks before being bottled at the Château one year after harvest. It pairs nicely with any grilled red meat, or a dark chocolate mousse for after dinner.
The Producer: Jean Médeville et Fils
Founded in 1826 by Jérôme Médeville, a barrel cooper from the Cadillac region of Acquitaine, Château Medéville has been crafting fine Bordeaux for seven generations. Originally situated on 12 contiguous hectares of vineyard, Château Fayau (the largest label of the property and heart of the domaine) now spans 180 hectares under vine. Currently run by Jean, Jacques, and Marc Medéville, it is located south of the city of Bordeaux and encompasses terroirs on both sides of the Garonne River. Jean Médeville et Fils has always taken a modern approach to the production of high-quality value-driven Bordeaux with up-to-date facilities and equipment. That said, they maintain elements of tradition during the winemaking process; the wines follow rigorous guidelines at every stage during viticulture and vinification. The resulting wines are accessible Bordeaux bottlings of varietal correctness that punch well above their weight class.
The Region: Bordeaux
Located in the southwest of France, Bordeaux is one of the world’s most prestigious and well-known wine regions. It is known for its age-worthy red blends that are coveted by collectors. The name Bordeaux derives from au bord de l’eau, which translates to “along the waters.”
