When we talk all things Muscadet and the region close to the sea at Nantes, there’s only one grape variety that springs to mind, Melon de Bourgogne.
It’s not the only grape variety to be found however. Have you ever tried a Folle Blanche?
First mentioned in 1696 in western France, it was traditionally used to make Cognac and Armagnac.
You might know it as Gros Plant as it’s often called here in the Loire in the Pay Nantais.
Both names give a clue to its character. Folle is the feminine of ‘fou’ (mad) and Gros Plant means big vine. It’s a very productive variety that provides grapes that are naturally high in acidity.
In Cognac and Armagnac Folle Blanche was largely replaced by Ugni Blanc after phylloxera. Today there are around 2,000 hectares planted over the whole of France.
We enjoyed a bottle of Marguerite 2019 from the brilliant Domaine de L’Ecu over the weekend. Sold in the Vin de France category it’s billed as a wine ‘sans tralala ni chichis’ (a simple wine without fuss or frills).
Wow! A real shock to the palate that’s what it was. Really delightful notes of mandarine and lime on the nose lead into a palate that had our mouths watering. Like sucking on bitter lemons.
It would be absolutely perfect with oysters or seafood, sushi or grilled sardines. Anything that needs a squeeze of lemon to cut through the fat or intensify those glorious iodine notes.
This isn’t the wine for you if you prefer a soft, round wine. It’s all perkiness and punch. And at just 11% alcohol, I love it!
Marguerite 2019 is a natural wine. It hasn’t been fined or filtered and has not sulphites added.
If you’re one of those people that picks out the lemon slice out of your gin and tonic and munches on it, you’re going to love it.
