The region of Muscadet lies at the mouth of the Loire river,
with the tributaries the Sèvre and the Maine roughly
defining the southern border of this appellation, the Loire
itself making the northern border. The subsoils are composed
of ancient and weathered granite and gneiss (a com-pressed
and metamorphic form of granite) with the hilly terrain mostly
the result of ancient river alluvial deposits.
The climate is a maritime
one with mild winters and dry summers. Located just south of the Brittany
peninsula, this wine region is the westernmost in France. The Melon de Bourgogne
grape for most of the wines but Folle Blanche and the Gros Plant can also
be found, the first used for the best wines.
Upon harvest, the grapes
are immediately pressed and the skins are allowed to settle at low temperature
to the bottom of the vat. The resulting clear juice is fermented at about
65°F and then matured on the fine lees for 7 to 14 months.
The Cuvée Tradition
is classical Muscadet, full of finesse, fresh and fruity, and is the reference
wine for the property and known for its regularity. This is due to the blending
of wines from various parcels in their vineyards and a meticulous attention
to ripeness, picking the grapes from each parcel at just the right time.
This is truly a seafood wine, pairing very well with shellfish,
both raw and cooked, as well as many types of fish and scallops.
The Cuvée Prestige, thanks to its fullness, can accompany
richer fish such as mackerel or Mahi. The classic raciness pairs well with butter and cream sauces and
can even accompany white meat chicken and lightly seasoned
pork.
www.lieubeau.com