Between Anjou and Muscadet, another Loire wine remains discreet: Fiefs-vendéens. In Vendée, this coastal vineyard produces taut and saline whites, some of which are Chardonnays described as “100% on purity and minerality”.
In Brem-sur-Mer, Bastien Mousset created the L’Orée du Sabia estate in 2017. About his biodynamics, he summarizes: , explains Bastien Mousset to France 3. For his small plots, he recalls:
Les Fiefs-vendéens, a small Loire AOC facing the sea
Attached to the Loire Valley, the Fiefs-vendéens appellation has been AOC since 2011, after passing through VDQS in 1984. White, rosé and red wines are produced there.
It covers only approximately 337 hectares, distributed between five denominations: Brem, Mareuil, Chantonnay, Pissotte and Vix. On site, there are around fifteen estates, often three to twelve hectares, with a significant proportion of organic and biodynamic farming.
An oceanic winemaker between shales, herbal teas and early harvests
On these hillsides close to the ocean, the vines grow on soils of schist, quartz and granite. To protect them, the winemaker relies on plant herbal teas. About chamomile, it slips that and that
The harvest dates also tell the story of this turbulent climate. He remembers:
Alterites, purity, minerality: the surprises of a Vendée chardonnay
In his cellar, Bastien Mousset highlights the Altérites vintage, his emblematic chardonnay. He describes it as, before summarizing:
Far from wanting to expand to infinity, he insists: To name his domain, he says: then specifies that, before concluding with humor that The circle is closed when he confides again:
What does the name Fiefs-vendéens mean?
Les Fiefs-vendéens is an AOC of Loire located in Vendée, producing white, rosé and red wines in five areas: Brem, Mareuil, Chantonnay, Pissotte and Vix.
What grape varieties are found in the Fiefs-vendéens?
We mainly find Chenin and Chardonnay for the whites, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cabernet Franc or Négrette for the reds and rosés.
How to serve a Fiefs-vendéens chardonnay like Altérites?
A Fiefs-Vendéens chardonnay is served around 10-12°C, ideally with seafood, grilled fish or fresh goat’s cheese.
