Official appellations : Muscadet, Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire and Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu. The production area is vast with diverse geological histories and geographical characteristics. Stretching from the borders of Brittany in the north, to the east the slopes of the Mauges and the Bogace Vendéen Hills, to the south-west the flatlands of Brittany, and to the west the coastal fringes of Retz.Very ancient Precambrian era with more recent Cadmium and even Hercyien outcrops.

Volcanic rock (granite), crystalline rock, gneiss, mica schist with silicates formed during the Cretaceous and Eocene eras. The Tertiary and Pliocene epoch deposited clay, sandy clay, silt and rocky clay soils. Water, whether the sea, the Loire River and its tributaries, marshes or lakes, is everywhere.The area has a gentle gradient (3-4%) and lies between 5-90 metres above sea level.
The climate is temperate, with a maritime influence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year, averaging between 700-800mm. Average temperature around 11,5°C, with a danger of spring frost and severe winters.

Only one permitted grape variety : Melon de Bourgogne brought to the region by Burgundians around 1635. It is a remarkably resistant variety in the appellation area.
Only one permitted root stock (3309C), which has proven to be well suited to the climatic conditions, the soil and the varietal, producing with moderate vigour. Only one permitted planting technique : Density 1,40metres by 1 metre, approximately 7,000 root stocks per hectare.

Only one training technique : Single Guyot, with 8-12 buds on the fruit bearing cane.In spite of a down slope in popularity recently, the “Vins de Nantes” remain the most important producers of French, dry white wine with 800 professional viticultural properties, 20 wine shipping companies, two cooperatives who have 7% of the market share, 100 marketing and distribution companies of which 37 vector 98% of the sales. 70% of all transactions pass through wine shippers hands, employing 10,000 direct employees and another 100,000 indirectly.

Muscadet is planted over 12, 392 hectares, producing 646,592 hectolitres in 2005/2006. Gros Plant covers 1,463 ha which together with Gros Plant “sur lie”, Coteaux d’Ancenis and les Fiefs Vendéens, produced 146,905 hectolitres the same period.
These figures have diminished, due to the policy of uprooting with the objective of concentrating on the better quality soils and land. The value of sales has respectively improved by 9% for Muscadet and 6% for the other appellations. This trend also occurred in the United States and has been quite spectacular for Muscadet – increase of 38%.


    In the vineyards and on the weather front, 2006 proved to be untypical and irregular. Winter was cold, spring wet, which led to delays in the onset of the vegetative cycle, whilst a warm and very dry June accelerated it, actually catching up around 14 June. Then came an early turning of the colour between August 10th -15th. July temperatures were ferocious and it rained abundantly in the form of storms. Alternating periods of successively fresh and very hot weather, verging on tropical conditions from time to time. Nevertheless, the maturation of the grapes progressed under good conditions and by the end of August the ripeness level was of satisfactory potential.
For Muscadet, the vintage started on 6th September. The vintage was a delicate operation due to the heterogeneous quality of the berries, and success presupposed very careful and intensive preparation in the vineyards, especially those where the sanitary state required plenty of attention.
Those vineyards who mastered the vigour of the vine and carefully deleafed and thinned out excessive bunches, potentially had good quality grapes. The vintage was brought in as rapidly as possible, and a good acidity / sugar balance was achieved, producing supple, balanced, fresh wine.


Like the rest of the Loire, drought conditions in 2005 combined with it also being one of the hottest over the last 30 years, left its mark on the vintage. On average, the temperature was 3 – 4°C superior to the norm and, with the exception of April 2005, the rainfall was lower than normal. Flowering took its time and was slightly later than usual, but with the heat and longer hours of sunshine, the vegetative cycle rapidly caught up with itself and the vintage announced itself earlier than usual.
The earlier ripening grape varieties were picked from September 2nd in the Muscadet and from September 6th for the Fiefs Vendéens. The vintage finished on September 20th with the Folles Blanches of the Gros Plant. Excellent sunny picking conditions and very healthy grapes lead to naturally high maturity levels and balanced acidity, thus providing winemakers with the opportunity of ideal, perfect and serene vinification conditions. White wines reached 12° potential alcohol while the reds were brought in at 13°.

What can one expect in a glass of Muscadet?
Fat, generous and plump wine is certainly positive, as long as excess is avoided. Austerity and lean minerality are excellent characteristics of the slightly more severe and serious style of Muscadet. The essential prerequisite is ripe fruit, fresh acidity and balance, with both grace and vibrancy as the signatures of its terroir, the care of its viticulture and the expertise of its winemaking.
Muscadet should be refreshing and energetic when young, but can develop into a most attractive, still vibrant and graceful, more mature wine. The mention “sur lie” implies that the wine was left to mature on its lees, with are regularly stirred.


2006 MUSCADET
MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE 2006
Jeunes Vigne - Domaine de la Landelle (sur lie)
COLOR : Bright, very pale yellow.
NOSE : Broad attack, yellow fruit, but rather bland. Nice fruit.
PALATE : Round, full bodied, slightly overgenerous. Lacks minerality and grip, but correct, easy drinking and good with food.


MUSCADET COTEAUX DE LA LOIRE 2006
Grandes Vignes - Alliance Loire (sur lie)
COLOR : Very pale yellow, brightly shining reflections.
NOSE : Bright, fresh, crisp acidity. Quite forceful bouquet,good minerality.
PALATE : Fresh, white fruit, apple notes, good acidity. Compelling minerals touch with integrated fruit flavors. Long in mouth. Clean, vibrant finish.


2005 MUSCADET
MUSCADET COTES DE GRANDLIEU 2005
Clos de la Clémencière, Vignoble Malidain (sur lie)
COLOR : Pale yellow, quite light, bright and shining, brilliant reflections
NOSE : Vibrant, mineral, very nice fresh, crisp fruit acidity,white fruit and citrus notes. Long and forceful.
PALATE : Clean, fresh, vital in mouth with ripe fruit and lovely minerality. Elegant and harmonious with fine acidity. Good balance. Fine glass of Muscadet.

Le Pavillon - Domaine du Haut Bourg (sur lie)
COLOR : Bright, shiny, pale yellow with slightest hint of lemony green.
NOSE : Deep, full, ripe fruit, good florality, fresh minerality.Remains fresh to end. Quite fat Muscadet.
PALATE : Plump and vigorous, in spite of weigh. Good, white fruit – pear and apple, crisp acidity on the tongue. A little short, but good mouth feel. Very satisfying in the more generous register, less gripe and grace.


MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE 2005
Vieilles Vignes
Domaine Pierre de la Grange (sur lie)
COLOR : Bright, pale yellow, light gold reflections.
NOSE : Attractive bouquet, rich yellow and white fruit, floral notes. Generous and long aromas. Balancing acidity and even a hint of tannin.
PALATE : More austerity on attack, very deep fruit at finish. Specific style of Muscadet. Richer expression of flavors, whilst still quite crisp with good acidity and hint of minerality. Long in the mouth and strongly flavored to end.

Grand’Vigne, Cuvée Sélection
Le Fief Dubois (sur lie)
COLOR : Bright, shiny, pale yellow, brilliant, light gold reflections.
NOSE : Pure mineral bouquet, intense and forceful, austere yet refined. Subdued attack of deep, ripe, quite rich yellow fruit, remaining lean and light structured with fine minerality to end.
PALATE : Tight, lovely minerality, fine fruit flavors, round and lean, well defined acidity with enough body and length. Mouth filling flavors. Fine thread of minerality all the way through. Clean, fresh and delicious. Harmonious Muscadet. Long and clean and nicely concentrated.Complete and satisfying wine.

Prestige Château Elget (sur lie)
COLOR : Fine, bright, shiny, pale, light yellow with brilliant reflections.
NOSE : Hint of exotic fruit – quite ripe, but not overwhelming, restrained richness, fine minerality. Lingering aromas creating an excellent bouquet with driving force of vibrant fruit and mineral balance.
PALATE : Fresh, crisp, mineral, fruit, balanced acidity. Forceful yet delicate. Fruit and fragrant to end. Long and delectable. Citrus notes on finish. Fine Muscadet – super minerality.

Vieilles Vignes - Clos de la Fontaine (sur lie)
COLOR : Fine, brilliant, very light, pale yellow.
NOSE : Nice mineral touch, rich fruit. An opulent Muscadet.
PALATE : Deep fruit, clean mineral finish.

Château du Coing de Saint Fiacre (sur lie)
COLOR : Bright, shiny, pale yellow, fine gold, brilliant reflections.
NOSE : Lovely complex, deep bouquet, austere and restrained and refined. Invites one to look deeper into the wine. Very fine expression of pure, elegant, chalky fruit and pure minerality. Fine acidity thread. Lean, but not mean with richer, delicately grilled notes on finish.
PALATE : Rich and ripe, yet lean, fine fruit flavors, mineral with fresh acidity. Well balanced, pure and lean, stylish Muscadet.

La Maison Blanche
Domaine de l’Hyvernière (sur lie)
COLOR : Fine, bright, pale yellow.
NOSE : Crisp, white and yellow fruit fragrance, fresh acidity. Delicate mineral background – chalky fruit. Balanced and sleek bouquet.
PALATE : Quite, gentle and pure. Fine mineral expression.Deep seated, restrained, white fruit flavors, delicate acidity, but long and lingering. Very reserved, but with all the attributes for a later expansion and deepening; A shy but intelligent, quite serious wine.

Grand OrGuilbaud Frères (sur lie)
COLOR : Bright, pale, light yellow, brilliant reflections.
NOSE : Chalky minerality, fresh and crisp and energetic, floral notes and white fruit. Restrained purity, clean, deep and intense fruit finish.
PALATE : Fresh fruit attack, mild yet delicious citrus acidity, mineral strain all the way through. Refreshing and clean palate, long, lingering expression. Quite rich at the end. Quite elegant, mouth filling and forceful. Excellent balance, refined and complete wine

Domaine de la Moutonnière
Guilbaud Frères (sur lie)
COLOR : Attractive, bright, shiny pale yellow, hint of citrus green, brilliant reflections.
NOSE : Beautiful, fresh fruit, delicately ripe quince, pear and apple notes. Quite rich and ripe with brisk acidity, citrus notes. A complete, refined bouquet with balance and deliciously lingering aromas. Yet delicate hint of austerity.
PALATE : Clean, energetic, tight, straight, deeply fruited, balanced and integrated acidity, fine mineral strain. Long and harmonious finish. A delicate Muscadet with purity and finesse. An iron fist in a velvet glove. Excellent wine !

Domaine des Chausselières Tradition (sur lie)
COLOR : Bright, pale yellow, brilliant, light gold reflections.
NOSE : Restrained bouquet, very fresh, crisp, tight, lovely fruit expression, fine acidity, clean, mineral. Lingering aromas. Pure and gentle at beginning and then grows.
PALATE : Delicious juicy attack, delightfully complex, balanced, tight, crisp acidity, spicy minerality. A wine that start quietly and grows in the mouth to explode on the finish. Long and powerful. Hint of almond at end. Very good Muscadet.

Grande Réserve
Domaine Landreau Village (sur lie)
COLOR : Bright, fine, pale gold. Brilliant reflections.
NOSE : Very clean, crisp, fresh lemon acidity, delicate almond notes, white fruit, quince. Attractive florality and very well balanced aromas.
PALATE : Very restrained, but good attack. Lingering notes of almonds, mild acidity. Dominated by fine, vibrant fruit and minerality. Very tight and bright. Nicely expressed. Fine finish. Complex wine.

Hermine d’Or
Domaine Louvetrie (sur lie)
COLOR : Bright, pale yellow, shining brilliance in reflections.
NOSE : A fatter style of Muscadet. Rich fruit, basis of minerality, apple, white and yellow fruit aromas, balanced acidity.
PALATE : Floral attack. Pear and apple notes, mild acidity.
Clean, yet rather fat. Almond on finish.

Sélection Vieilles Vignes
Domaine La Ragotière (sur lie)
COLOR : Deep, yellow gold. Quite deep but bright.
NOSE : Modern, rich and ripe bouquet with some minerality and good acidity. Plenty of ripe fruit aromas.
PALATE : Exotic fruit, rather broader expression, nicely mineral on finish. Quite fresh and tonic. Attractive wine.

Cuvée du Château
Château Morinière (sur lie)
COLOR : Bright, quite deep, pale gold.
NOSE : Fresh, crisp apple notes on attack. Rich fruit, good acidity, attractive minerality all well positioned. Almond touch. Modern Muscadet.
PALATE : Rich and ripe, but retaining surprising freshness
and clean minerality. Balanced attack of complex fruit flavours



Official appellations: There are over thirty in the area designated as Anjou Saumur, and 63 to be precise for the entire Val de la Loire region. We invite you, cordially, to consult the excellent website of the Val de Loire in order to provide you with a more global and complete picture, and more detailed information.
White wines: Savennières, Savennières Roches aux Moines.
White and red wines: Anjou, Saumur
Rosé wines: Rosé de Loire, Cabernet d’Anjou, Cabernet de Saumur, Rosé d’Anjou.
Red wines: Anjou Villages, Anjou Villages Brissac, Saumur Champigny, Cabernet d’Anjou.
 Sparkling wines: Saumur Mousseux (White and Rosé), Crémant de Loire (White). Sweet wines: Coteaux de Saumur, Anjou Coteaux du Layon, Coteaux du Layon, Coteaux de Layon Rochefort, Coteaux de Layon Saint Lambert, Coteaux de Layon Saint Aubin, Coteaux du Layon Faye d’Anjou (and also of other communes), Chaume, Quarts de Chaume, Chaume Premier Cru des Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux, Coteaux de l’Aubance

The variety of geological combinations and geographical characteristics is vast. In the Middle Ages, the settlement of vines took place around the towns of Angers and Saumur, with further vineyards on the hillsides along the Loire River. The Dutch created canals in the tributaries, such as the Layon, and they developed the vineyard area in this part of the Loire Valley. In 2005, the surface area covered 4,175 hectares and produced 238,000 hectolitres.
Anjou and Saumur stretch from Ancenis in the west to Saumur in the east. Angers to the north and to the south the limit is north of Cholet and south of Thouars. The “Anjou Noir” is characterised by dark soil over schist to the southeast of the “Massif Armoricain”. The “Anjou Blanc” (Saumur vineyards), at the south-western tip of the Parisian Basin, is on white coloured, chalk soil, known as “Tuffeau” when it is extracted from the soil to use as building material.

In certain areas, around Thouarcé for example, the chalky soil is covered by gravel over clay from the Cenomanien era, which preceded the Cretaceous Period. Not neglecting other soil composites such as slate schist, carboniferous and gritty sandstone schist in the Armoricain hillsides and eruptive veins of quartz, extrusive volcanic rhyolite and granite.Grape varieties: Grolleau, rich in sugar (194g/l on September 11th), was ripe early, only 3 later than 2003, the earliest vintage in 20 years. Good levels of acidity. Picking started on September 13th and this grape fared very well in 2006. The Cabernet Franc also ripened early.
The phenolic and skin maturity coincided with the perfectly healthy condition of the very aromatic grapes. Care had to be taken with the thin skins and the grapes degraded rapidly once the rain set in. Therefore, a reasonably hasty harvest. Good sugar and relatively high acidities.

For the rosés the “bans de vendanges” were set at September 20th and for the reds September 23rd, which is still two weeks earlier than usual. The Chenin showed beautiful potential. High sugar levels and average acidities. Picking started September 13th for the first passage in Savennières and the Anjou Blanc, a week earlier than in 2005. This showed very fine results, but later pickings were more delicate and problematical due to the risk of the degrading of the grapes by the weather.
Sweet wine production was extremely difficult with rain in September followed by a hot and humid October. Noble Rot (Botrytis Cinerea) developed after the first September rains, and this had to be meticulously handled. Sweet wine volume was very low, but a number of wines of fine quality with lovely vivacity were made.Chardonnay is grown successfully and used for making Crémant de Loire and Saumur Brut. Cabernet Sauvignon does well, on schist soil in the appellations of Anjou Villages and Anjou Villages Brissac.


The season started off with a display of humidity. March had plenty of rain and was cold (88mm against the 51mm average over the last 50 years). However, the rain was welcomed by the soil after the drought suffered during winter 2005. April was drier, with only 17mm against 48mm, and with relatively normal temperatures.
Budding occurred between April 5th – 13th, approximately 10 days later than the last few vintages. May had average temperatures and rain, but fewer hours of sunshine, only 169 hours against 208 on average. Due to this mixed weather pattern, cryptogrammic diseases, particularly mildew, appeared relatively early in the vegative cycle. Fortunately, this lack of sunshine was corrected in June and July, with higher than usual average temperatures (23,8°C against 19,2°C - the 50 years norm).

These two months were also very dry, with only 29mm of rain, and these inhabitual drought conditions had a negative effect on the swelling of the berries. The volume of the 2006 vintage is overall much lower than the 2005.Flowering was rapid and early, June 9th-13th, and in fairly idyllic climatic conditions of sunshine and heat for all grape varieties. The crop seemed of average size and homogeneously set.
Normal rainfall and temperatures during August and the turning of the colour took place around August 15th, as in other recent years. All these factors stimulated early ripening and the vintage started for the Chardonnay and the Sauvignon, on September 17th, as in 2005. It started raining on September 20th and 100mm fell over the next few days. Therefore, the total rain for the month was a high 136mm, far above the 53mm of the 50 years norm.
2006 turned out to be a difficult vintage.

The excellent potential of the beginning of September only profited the early ripening grape varieties. The rest depended on the positioning of the vineyards. Conditions remained favourable for vineyards on the slopes or exposed to the wind, which dried out some of the water. Quality also depended upon the viticultural preparation and care that had been lavished on the vines throughout the year.



The hottest year in the last 30, and relatively dry to boot. Vegetation leapt off to an early start. Budding around June 15th over a period of one week. Flowering and the turning of the colour all occurred with at least one week’s advance on normal years. However, the prospective yield was smaller than 2004, and lower than the norm. The grapes were beautifully healthy and this continued into the vintage due to the summer drought (a rain deficit of almost 50%).
Warm days (1-3°C higher than normal) followed cool nights and the grapes showed excellent sugar / acidity balance, which reached an optimum at full maturity. The differences between night and day temperatures, particularly during the cooler August, positively influenced the fixing of delightful aromas and also ensured good colour. The small amounts of rain in September turned out to be a soothing blessing and helped to boost the phenolic maturity.

The “bans de vendanges” were proclaimed, on September 2nd, for Muscadet. In Anjou and Saumur, the date for the Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Noir was September 7th, and after mid September for Côt, Cabernet Franc and Chenin. September 12th, for the other Anjou and Saumur grape varieties.
Harvesting took place in lovely sunny weather and the grapes were healthy, due to the effects of the dry weather which avoided most of the usual diseases.However, Noble Rot did develop in ideally situated vineyards and the sweet wines achieved excellent concentration, due to partially dried out, small Botrytised grapes. All in all, a very satisfactory vintage!

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