Bleu (France) Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2001
The strikingly blue bottle and synthetic cork provide the shock of the new for what is otherwise a very traditional wine from the western Loire Valley, near to the cool Atlantic coast. Like all the best Muscadets, this wine is a ‘sur lie’, meaning that it was aged on its lees – the dead yeast cells left after fermentation – to gain weight and complexity before bottling. The nose is delicate and almondy, hinting at flowers, salts and pear-drop fruit. On the palate there is a tiny spritz that brings the wine to life, and along with a rush of zesty citrus fruit makes for a very invigorating, fresh, shellfish-friendly style. There is a little nutty richness on the palate, and good orchard and lemon fruit, but this wine is about subtlety and crisp, savoury finesse. A lovely, correct Muscadet. Sainsbury’s 4.99.
