Domaine du Haut Bourg
Ask a Muscadet fanatic about their favourite domaines and he or she will rattle off a list of illustrious names, likely candidates for inclusion being Pépière, Louvetrie, Luneau-Papin, Brégeon or Cormerais. All, you will note, hail from the complex terroirs along the Sèvre and Maine rivers, clustered around increasingly famous cru communal zones such as Clisson, Gorges and Monnières-Saint-Fiacre. But is this really all there is to occupy the palate and mind of the quality-minded drinker of Muscadet? I have come to the conclusion that the answer to this question is no; there is life beyond the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine region.
Indeed, look in the right place and we can find wines just as enticing as those from this roll call of more famous names. Muscadet and the subregional appellations of Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire and Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu are home to a number of still well-hidden gems. Domaine du Haut Bourg, in the Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu appellation, is one such jewel. Located near Bouaye, on the northern side of the Lac de Grand-Lieu, this domaine is home to Hervé and Nicolas Choblet, fourth-generation vignerons who inherited their vines from their father.
