Domaine de la Fessardière Muscadet “La Mer” 2023 | Muscadet, Loire Valley

The Wine

Pure coastal Muscadet from schist soils just 10km from the Atlantic. “La Mer” translates to “The Sea”, and the name fits perfect. Saline, lemony and finely textured, with crystalline freshness balanced by subtle leesy depth from 9 months ageing on lees.

The Producer

The Fessardière estate is nestled in the western reaches of the Loire Valley – in the commune of Vallet – considered the heartland of Muscadet. Situated just one hour from the Atlantic Ocean, the
terroir here is awash with light, stony, clayey-siliceous, schists and shallow soils on undulating slopes. The predominant grape variety is Melon de Bourgogne, with a small amount of Folle Blanche also
planted. Emeline and Jérôme have continued to work organically with practices, such as ploughing and cover crops for better and healthy soils.

These wines dance a beautiful line between precision and depth; they are unmistakably Muscadet with their crystalline purity but are then supported by this moreish body and lingering power. Grapes are all harvested by hand, go through fermentation with indigenous yeasts and are fermented and aged in a mixture of old oak, underground tanks and, of course, a healthy dose of lees ageing.