Domaine de la Pépière : Briords 2024

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for Briords 2024 from Domaine de la Pépière

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale yellow hue, reflecting its youth and the delicate expression of Melon de Bourgogne.

Nose

The nose reveals a mineral finesse reminiscent of finely powdered chalk, accompanied by notes of crushed white peach and green apple. Hints of almond and pear complete this delicate bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is broad and textured, with a lively attack marked by a signature salinity. The mineral structure unfolds generously, carried by a fresh, luminous acidity. The palate offers aromas of white-fleshed fruits, brioche and almond, a legacy of extended aging on the lees. The finish, both precise and persistent, leaves a mineral, saline impression with a subtle, refined bitterness.

Food and wine pairings

This Briords 2024 pairs perfectly with oysters and raw scallops, shellfish such as crab or langoustine, as well as delicate white fish prepared simply. It also complements aged goat cheeses and light poultry with elegance.

Serving and cellaring

Briords 2024 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. While this wine can be enjoyed now for its freshness and vibrancy, its structure and complexity give it the potential to cellar for several years.

Other characteristics

The alcohol level remains moderate, at around 11 to 12% vol., contributing to the wine’s freshness and balance.

An outstanding Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie, a pure expression of the granite of Château-Thébaud

The estate

Founded in 1984 by Marc Ollivier in the village of Maisdon-sur-Sèvre, Domaine de la Pépière has established itself as an essential reference for Muscadet. Since 2019, the estate has been led by Rémi Branger and Gwénaëlle Croix, who carry on the founder’s philosophy while further deepening the commitment to biodynamics, certified since 2018. The estate now covers around 42 hectares, half of which lie within the prestigious communal cru areas. A pioneer of single-parcel cuvées in the region as early as 1988, Domaine de la Pépière stands out for its refusal of modern oenological interventions and its dedication to the authentic expression of the Loire’s terroirs.

The vineyard

The Briords cuvée comes from a parcel of around three hectares located on the slopes overlooking the Maine, a tributary of the Loire. The Melon de Bourgogne vines, from massal selection and planted around 1930, are among the oldest on the estate. The terroir rests on the granite of Château-Thébaud, a fractured, permeable geological formation that allows deep root penetration. The soils, made up of a fine layer of clay, sand and gravel over this granitic bedrock, provide optimal drainage while preserving a well-balanced water reserve. The south-facing exposure of this slope benefits from generous sunshine and the moderating influence of river breezes. The vineyard is farmed under certified biodynamic agriculture, with exclusively hand-harvested grapes and short pruning that naturally limits yields.

The vintage

The 2024 vintage in the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie appellation follows in the footsteps of the estate’s recent releases, benefiting from the region’s mild maritime climate and the favorable microclimatic conditions provided by the privileged exposure of the Briords slope.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Briords 2024 are hand-harvested with rigorous selection, then carefully transported to the cellar. Pneumatic pressing is carried out by gravity, without prior crushing of the berries, thus preserving the fruit’s aromatic integrity. After light settling, the must ferments naturally thanks to the indigenous yeasts present on the grape skins, with no addition of commercial yeasts. Fermentation takes place in underground vats for about a month. The wine then rests on its fine lees for a minimum of seven to eight months, without racking or stirring, allowing the development of the aromatic complexity and texture that define this iconic cuvée.

Grape variety

100% Melon de Bourgogne