Domaine de la Quilla Muscadet 2003

It’s been nearly twenty years since we first began working with Gerard and Daniel Vinet at the well-known estate of Quilla in the village of La Haie-Fouassiere. A little known fact is that this village is the origin of the famous wines of Muscadet. The village is located within the region known as Sevre et Maine, an area that lies between the two tributaries that flow from the south to the Loire. Of the three zones within the appellation of Muscadet, Sevre et Maine is the best ripening area for the Muscadet grape type (which is also known as Melon de Bourgogne). The Vinet family owns about 60 acres. The vineyards are tended by Daniel and vinification is controlled by Gérard, his younger brother. With the Atlantic influence, the harvest generally begins early September. The yields are not excessive and all the fruit is harvested by hand. The real key to the wines from Domaine de la Quilla is that the Vinet’s keep the wines sur lie for eight months before bottling at the end of May, unlike most in this appellation who bottle in March. The Vinet family work proudly to produce this impeccably dry and fragrant wine. Enjoy!