In the Loire Valley's Muscadet region, you can find a plethora of beautifully-crafted, racy, mineral-laden white wines made from the melon de Bourgogne varietal that are legendary pairings with oysters and other seafood delicacies. However, some winemakers have gone against the grain and forged a new path, crafting white wines that, while retaining that terrior-driven acidity, also have depth, weight, and complexity. These wines benefit from a few years in the cellar and may remind you of some of your favorite white Burgundies!

Enter winemakers Michel Brégeon and Fred Lailler, founders of the estate behind today's offer. They yearned to make muscadets of this caliber, and they did so by crafting cuvées from specific areas in Sèvre et Maine that have distinct terroirs and bring forth wines that are unique expressions of muscadet. (They were even instrumental in the establishment of several Crus in Sèvre et Maine, Clisson being one of them.) They also aged their wines on the lees* for an extended period, adding to their richer and more compelling flavor profiles.

Clisson lies along a granite fault in the Massif Armoricain in Sèvre et Maine. Soils are a mix of gravel and rounded pebbles which are well-drained and encourage deep root growth. Before the Cru status was granted, local producers labeled their wines "Granite de Clisson". (wine-searcher.com)

The 2019 Domaine Michel Brégeon Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Clisson “La Molette” is made from 100% melon de Bourgogne aged on the lees* for 24 months. It is medium-to-full-bodied yet infused with the region's telltale wet-stone, saline-tinged acidity, offering aromas and flavors of lemon peel, green apples, white peaches, and pears that stay with you through the long finish.

Check out the press!
93 points, Michael Epstein, Wine Review Online:
"For over a decade now, Muscadet has a cru system, analogous to the Beaujolais crus. That is, identification of towns that have the potential to produce more distinctive and noteworthy wines. Wines from the Muscadet cru must have lower yields and be aged on the lees longer. Clisson, along with Gordes and Le Pallet, were the first three villages to receive cru status. Domaine Brégeon’s energetic 2019 Clisson is simply stunning. A rich creaminess accompanies the classic edgy minerality for which Muscadet Sèvre et Maine is known. I know, 45 bucks for a Muscadet is unusual, but this eye-opening Muscadet with its Burgundian-like feel adds a whole new dimension to the appellation." 

*Lees aging, also known as sur lie in French, is a winemaking process that involves leaving wine in contact with dead yeast cells, or lees, after fermentation. This process can add flavor, texture, and complexity to the wine. 

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 12%
Farming Practices: Sustainable
Producer Name: Domaine Michel Brégeon
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: France
Region: Loire Valley (Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, Clisson)
Grape Varietals: Melon de Bourgogne
Vintage: 2019
Wine Style: Dry White Wine
Winemaking Techniques: Extended lees aging (minimum 24 months) in underground glass-lined tanks
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Bottle
Closure Style: Cork
*Lees aging, also known as sur lie in French, is a winemaking process that involves leaving wine in contact with dead yeast cells, or lees, after fermentation. This process can add flavor, texture, and complexity to the wine.