Monmousseau Cuvee Etoile 1886 Brut NV

This vintage is a blend of mainly Chenin Blanc and some Chardonnay. The winery was founded in 1886, hence the name of this Brut Crémant made in methode traditionelle. Aged for 18 months on lees, this draws a rich brioche like texture. Fine, delicate bubbles deliver a fruity and honeyed aroma, with ripe pear and citrus to taste. This is a very fine bubbly option for Summer celebrations at a very fine price.

In France, a sparkling wine made in the same method as Champagne, but produced outside the Champagne region is called a Crémant . The Crémant house of Monmousseau, located in the Loire Valley’s Touraine region, was founded in 1886. While they make still wines as well, they specialize in sparkling wine, made in the traditional method (the same way Champagne is made). Like all serious sparkling wine houses, Monmousseau has maturation “caves” dug into the special, soft chalky limestone earth of their estate, the same soill that gives their wines (especially the bubblies) their lovely crisp finessed character.

What’s really interesting is that the very clever founder of Monmousseau saw his opportunity to create this very successful wine estate by planting his vineyards and digging his almost 15km of caves out of what was an abandoned quarry–once used to build all the large estate homes of the region. 

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About This Wine

Country
FR
Region
Loire
Type
Sparkling
Soils
Fine, chalky limestone overlayed by granite and clay
Closure
Cork and cage
Alcohol
12.5%
Pairing
Christmas celebrations outside, maybe with a prawn cocktail or two?