Iconic Sancerre from Domaine Alphonse Mellot - The Living Vine
Date: Apr 21/11, Thu Time: 03:00:00-07:00:00 Style: Drop-In
Sancerre from Domaine Alphonse Mellot - The Living Vine presented Domaine Alphonse Mellot and their iconic selection of wines from the Sancerre region of France.
SANCERRE is first and foremost an isolated hill that rises up in the middle of a serene landscape bathed by the soft light of the Loire river.
The oldest part of the town, built like an amphitheatre on the south-western slopes of the hill towers up to a height of three hundred and twelve meters, dominating the landscape and offering a magnificent panorama.
There is much controversy surrounding the origins of Sancerre. Certain historians attribute it to Julius Cesar, others to a Saxon settlement that is said to have been established during the reign of Charlemagne. It is however certain that its history goes back to the beginning of the Middle Ages, before the year 1000 and that a Castle was erected on this privileged site.
As far back as the XVI century, in 1513 to be exact, the local records mention the MELLOT family, whose life even at that time was governed by the seasons of the vine and the production of wines of excellent quality.
The Mellot family, vinegrowers and wine merchants, was again mentioned during the siege of the town. They pursued their patient labours and continued to gain recognition because César Mellot was appointed as Wine Advisor to Louis XIV in 1698.
At the beginning of the XIX century, ALPHONSE MELLOT founded a tavern in Sancerre where one could savour the local wines and so began a flourishing trade that was to continue. In 1881 he was granted a licence to ship his wine throughout France and all over the World. This marked the beginning of a pacific conquest which has been pursued and developed by the family business from father to son ever since, with the eldest son continuing to bear the name of the Founder Alphonse.
Today, this century old winemaking tradition is perpetuated by Alphonse MELLOT, father and son, the 18th and 19th to bear the name.
The wines are produced from the upper Sancerre vineyard, the most famous of which is the « DOMAINE LA MOUSSIERE ». Its exceptional quality has led to it being officially classified as a unique category amongst the Sancerre wines. The DOMAINE DE LA MOUSSIERE comprises one single vineyard of over thirty hectares.
Its ideally exposed location on the south-western tip of Sancerre, its chalk soil and its specific sub-soil are all perfect conditions for the cultivation of the vine.
White Sancerre is produced from the noble grape called « Sauvignon », with small, very tightly packed grapes, that is amongst the oldest known varieties.
Sancerre has an eminent position in the hierarchy of white wines thanks to its great finesse, its bouquet and fruitiness.
Red and rosé Sancerre are produced from the « Pinot Noir » grape, particularly from the older vines of the 'Vieux Clos Chambrastes'.
Legend has it that this vineyard is located on the site of an ancient roman encampment.
Wines sampled at this tasting included:
White Sancerre:
Moussière 2010 − $36.95
Romains 2010 - $69.95
Satellite 2008 − $74.95
Génartion XIX 2009 - $79.95
Edmond 2009 - $84.95
Red Sancerre:
Moussière 2009 - $59.95
Demoiselle 2008 - $89.95
En Grands Champs 2008 - $114.95
Génération XIX 2008 - $129.95
Rosé Sancerre:
Moussière 2010 - $24.95
Pouilly Fumé:
PF Emmanuelle Mellot 2010 - $28.95
Coteaux Charitois:
Pénitents Chardonnay 2008 $23.95
Pénitents Pinot Noir 2009 - $26.95
Thanks to Mark at the Living Vine for another great tasting at the Reserve.
www.mellot.com
