The dynamic college metropolis of Nantes, situated on France’s Atlantic coast, is understood amongst wine lovers for its signature white wine, the Muscadet. With its deliciously dry, mineral flavors and poppy acidity, Muscadet is an ideal accomplice to the savory-flavored oysters that Pays Nantais can also be well-known for.

From the coast inland in the direction of Anjou, Muscadet lies within the westernmost a part of the Loire Valley and is its largest wine area. With the Sèvre et Maine subregion a very powerful when it comes to high quality and amount, with greater than 8,000 hectares of vineyards.

To the northeast of Nantes lies the smaller Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire subregion, with its steep vineyards clinging to the volcanic gneiss and rocky soils of the south aspect of Brittany’s Armorican Massif. That is the place probably the most secretive vineyards of the Coteaux d’Ancenis rise from the banks of the mighty Loire, with 150 hectares of vineyards surrounding the market city of Ancenis.

Left Muscadet to its mission of making dry, lemon-scented whites, Coteaux d’Ancenis gained label standing in 2011 for its candy reds, rosés, and whites. The grapes ripen on slopes that get loads of solar publicity, whereas being sheltered from Brittany’s sturdy winds to the north. These vineyards additionally profit from far more rainfall than these of Anjou within the east.

In Coteaux d’Ancenis, as in Beaujolais, the Gamay grape is king, with wines made nearly completely for the native market. Pink wines are typically gentle in physique
Thirst-quenching, with notes of cherry and raspberry, and hints of floor pepper. The flavors are refreshingly fruity and the tannins easy, although some formidable producers are making extra finely pitted wines, within the type of nice Beaujolais villages.

Coteaux d’Ancenis rosé was additionally squeezed from Gamay: a veritable gem of dry summery pink, with flavors of fantastically ripe strawberry, peach and melon; Wealthy, juicy flavours, with contemporary acidity and simply sufficient physique to pair properly with regionally ready seafood dishes.

Maybe probably the most curious wine made in these vineyards is Coteaux d’Ancenis Malvoisie—an area synonym for the pale pink-skinned Pinot gris selection present in Alsace. Right here they make delicate whites, floral-sweet, with flavors of apricot, melon, even lychee flavors… It is a scrumptious aperitif, or makes an ideal accomplice for gentle, fruity desserts.

Dominic’s selection

• Renou Freres et Fils
  www.renou-freres.com
  Wine selection: Coteaux d’Ancenis Rosé 2021
• Domaine de Moulin Giron
  domainedumoulingiron.com
  Wine selection 1: Coteaux d’Ancenis Gamay Rouge 2021
  Wine selection 2: Coteaux d’Ancenis Malvoisie 2021

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