Parentière 2023 Muscadet Serve et Maine Vieilles Vignes

Michel and Guilhaume Ménager produce this lovely Musacdet on their tiny estate near Vallet, which they have tended organically for more than 40 years. The sub-soil is gabbro, a type of basalt, that gives a unique aromatic quality to the wine, quite different from wines produced on the normal granite or gneiss/schiste soils of Muscadet. The Ménagers have always harvested by hand and never chaptalize, producing wines that are light, refreshing and very "mineral" in character. 2023 is an excellent vintage for Muscadet - the Parentiere Vieilles Vignes shows a bright pale gold color with very complex and fascinating aromas: meyer lemon, dried pear, white peach, with a bit of smoke and petrol typical of gabbro terroir. The palate is ripe and round but nicely balanced with minerals and bright acidity under the white and yellow fruits that continue in the refreshing, clean finish - and the low 11.5% alcohol gives this wine a delightful drinkability! Lovely as an aperitif, or even at a party, and a great pairing with any mild-flavored fish or poultry dish. And it's a great value, of course!