Blend: 50% Chenin Blanc, 50% Chardonnay
From: Fiefs Vendéens, Loire Valley, France
Taste: Light gold in color, the Blanc Collection displays aromas of green pear, peach, citrus, and grapefruit. These follow to the palate, where you'll also note flavors of Asian and d'Anjou pear. All that said, this wine is not sweet! It's very dry and finishes with a lovely mineral, saline quality. You'll want another glass, and quickly.
If you've ever wondered what the heck people mean when they say "minerality," you'll discover that here. Texturally, the wine has more subdued acidity than in the past. Sometimes that's a bummer, but not in this case. Here, minerality shines through as terroir & makes you feel like you're looking out on the Atlantic, windblown, and standing near salt fields because that's where [its] home is.
Pairing: Enjoy with roast chicken, seared trout or soft cheeses. Also amazing with fresh greens, pea vines, dumplings, frittata's, etc. Try this recipe by Alison Roman for Ricotta Dumplings with Buttered Peas and Asparagus.
About. Before entering the wine trade in the late 19th century in Sables d’Olonne, the Mourat family were salt makers on the Ile de Ré. In 1974, Jean Mourat founded Vignobles Mourat when he purchased Château Marie de Fou in Mareuil. Jean's son, Jérémie, took over J. Mourat in 2000, and has been working diligently to raise the profile of his region, the Fiefs Vendéens. Fiefs Vendéens is the westernmost region of the Loire Valley, only 20 km from the Atlantic Ocean and an hour south of Nantes. Because of its proximity to the ocean, the Atlantic is the dominant climactic influence, providing for cold, wet winters, cool and cloudy spring, and warm, humid, sunny summers. J. Mourat's vineyards are located on hillsides overlooking the Lay Valley grown on volcanic and schist soils. Since taking over in 2000, Jérémie has converted to organic farming and working naturally in the cellar while championing the traditions of this ancient winemaking region.