Muscadet Classic Domaine De L’Ecu 2023

Muscadet Classic Domaine De L’Ecu, Melon de Bourgogne in all its glory.  Let’s not waste time going on about how rubbish Muscadet used to be and how everyone thinks it is cheap stuff.  That characterisation is long gone along with the gimpy looking ‘La Ligérienne’ bottlings and the bland non descript wines.  Domaine de L’Ecu like many other natural growers in the region are making seriously good white wines which can rival those of more exalted Loire appellations.  The Classic is pure ‘Melon’, appley, citrussy, pithy, leesy and cool, superb balance of freshness and taughtness with extra depth and texture.  Amazing with any seafood, on its own, light lactic cheeses, salads, lunch, breakfast, whatever…..great stuff.

Domaine de L'Ecu has been farmed organically since 1975 and more recently has converted to first Biodynamics and then a kind of ‘Cosmoculture’ started by another well known wine maker Philippe Viret in the Rhone Valley.  It is defined thus....

'The concept lies on linking magnetic and cosmic energy fields, which gives benefits to plant, animal and humans, and in turn reenergizes and preserves the living balance and ecosystems.'

Sounds cool!  The result is delicious Muscadets which express the diverse terroir of the region but nevertheless lie outside the appellation, (like many good modern growers working naturally today).  They are clean, elegant and delightfully easy with a certain 'depth' no doubt as a result of an incredible commitment to soil health and natural production.