When it comes to Muscadet, most insiders would agree that Domaine de la Pepière is about as good as it gets. And the 2018 Pepiere Muscadet La Pepié is year in and year out one of the great white wine values you’ll come across.
Produced from 100% Melon de Bourgogne grapes from organically farmed vineyards, the new release of this wine is bone-dry, racy, crisp, and mineralic. The perfect white to wash oysters down with, it’s also a terrific summer quaffer.
2018 Domaine de la Pepière Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie ‘La Pepié’
BONE-DRY, SUPER CRISP, RACY AND MINERALIC WHITE FROM THE “MASTER OF MUSCADET!”
This vintage is sold out. To order the new vintage, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Marc Ollivier is the “Master of Muscadet” I speak of. More than any other vigneron, Marc elevated the reputation of Muscadet and showed that the humble Melon de Bourgogne grape could produce much more than simple, tart wines. He was one of the first in the region to convert all of his vineyards to organic and biodynamics, he’s always harvested by hand, and he ferments with native yeasts. His artisanal approach inspired many others, and Muscadet is better now than it’s ever been.
This 35 year old estate is located in Maisdon-Sur-Sèvre, in the far western reaches of the Loire Valley. Guess what’s super close? The ocean and oysters! What grows together goes together. And Pepière’s vineyards are in the prime Sèvre et Maine section, named after the two rivers that flow through it. If you can’t get your hands on any oysters, mussels or shrimp are terrific with Muscadet too!
So what does “sur lie” mean? Good question! It’s the process of aging the wine on the spent yeast cells after fermentation, and this process not only enhances the texture of this tank fermented white, it also adds complex spice notes. In addition, there’s lovely notes of pear, apple, tropical fruits, and a hint of orange peel. And mineral too! Yes, the minerality in Muscadet smells and tastes almost of saline sea spray. This brininess is why Muscadet is so good with briny oysters!
If you love Chablis or other no-oak, crisp whites, you’re gonna’ love this! It’s oh-so refreshing, but it’s also interesting. It makes you think……of the ocean and oysters. My mouth is watering!
This vintage is sold out. To order the new vintage, stop by the store or click here to order in our online store.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville