Natural wine has no uniform definition. It is a general term used to describe artisanal wine made using organically and/or biodynamically hand-picked grapes which are vinified with little or no intervention. Winemakers often rely on indigenous yeast to catalyse natural fermentation, avoiding the use of any chemicals, additives or sulphites.
The result is wine which is alive, energetic, vibrant and unexpected – a welcomed contrast to the industrial practices of the wine industry.
Name of Estate/Domaine:
Les Vins de la Gabare
Vintage: 2019
Country & Region
Muscadet A.O.C, Loire Valley, France
Grape/Blend
100% Melon de Bourgogn (from 40-year-old vines)
Tasting Notes
More intense style of Muscadet with nine months sur lie. Fresh cut apple & pear followed by spicy-leesy notes, mouth-filling palate with good length.
Terroir
Melon de Bourgogne vines are planted, facing West-West/ North in a Granodiorite soil, which is a fertile, loose and easily crumbled alkaline (limestone)-granite, it produces wines with a good minerality and a good streak of acidity.
Viticulture
Organic.
*Suitable for Vegans & Vegetarians
Vinification:
- Manual harvest
- The grapes were pressed immediately after harvest
- Wild yeast fermentation, without temperature control
- Vinification and nine months’ ageing on lees in an 80-HL underground vat lined with glass tiles
- Full malolactic
- Filtration, but no fining
- 1.5 g/HL of sulphur added at bottling.
Food Pairing
Traditionally pair with Brittany oyster and plateau de fruits de mer, this would also go well with lightly smoked trout and salad of spring vegetables
