Wines Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Les Lauriers - 2021

Viniou Reviews

Les Lauriers 2021, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, is a particularly expressive example of one of the Loire Valley’s most distinctive whites. Made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, this wine is vinified in the classic style with a focus on freshness and minerality. Typically, wines from this region benefit from ageing sur lies — meaning the wine spends several months resting on its fine lees — which imparts extra texture, complexity, and the recognisable subtle notes of bread crust or yeast. The 2021 vintage is marked by a cool growing season, contributing to vibrant acidity and clear, saline nuance. The terroir of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine is defined by its proximity to the Atlantic, clay and schist soils, and a temperate, oceanic climate, all of which lend the wine its signature crispness and lingering finish.

The wider Nantais region, at the western edge of the Loire Valley, has been renowned for its Muscadet since the 17th century, thanks to Dutch traders who popularised the style around Europe. The cool, damp conditions and diverse geological foundations of mica schist, gneiss, and granite give Muscadet wines their trademark clarity and distinct mineral overtones. This history, paired with generations of adept winemaking, makes wines from this region — like Les Lauriers — reliably fresh, food-friendly and reflective of their terroir.

Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine is the quintessential partner for seafood: think freshly shucked oysters, steamed mussels, or grilled sardines. The wine’s vibrant acidity and saline tang lift the flavours of delicate shellfish, while its subtle lees-aged depth works beautifully with sole meunière or Loire river fish such as pike-perch. For a local pairing, try it with a simple plate of langoustines or a classic mouclade nantaise, a creamy mussel dish from the region.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this Muscadet between 8-10°C. This preserves its aromatic intensity and sharp, chiselled palate. Consider opening the wine and pouring it into your glass a few minutes before tasting, allowing the delicate bouquet to open up fully, revealing notes of citrus, green apple, and wet stone. Les Lauriers 2021 is a youthful, refreshing white built for convivial moments and pristine delicacies from sea and river.