Domaine de l’Ecu, 2013 Update
The tale of Domaine de l’Ecu has been a troubled one in recent years. Proprietor Guy Bossard is a figurehead not only for neighbours and peers (Marc Pesnot of Domaine de la Sénéchalière, for example, recently told me Guy was a significant source of inspiration when he was first starting out) but also for vignerons working in more distant lands (who are usually drawn to Guy’s unwavering adherence to biodynamic principles). Despite this hardy commitment to his viticultural philosophies, and the general deliciousness of the wines he produces, the bottles continue to sell for a relative pittance; making Muscadet is no route to riches, that much seems certain.
It was hardly surprising and yet no less disheartening to learn that when Guy (pictured) wanted to retire – after the frequently delicious and yet financially unrewarding 2008 vintage (yields were slashed by frost but many wines were of good quality) – there was little interest from potential suitors. The next generation of the Bossard family were less than eager, and the estate was put up for sale, only to languish on the open market for a long time. Happily, we now know that the domaine is in safe hands once again, with the arrival of Frédéric Niger, who bought into the domaine, and now runs it alongside Guy.
Frédéric Niger
That Frédéric Niger and Guy Bossard (the latter pictured) have teamed up in order to ensure a smooth progression and handing over of the Ecu reins is not news that could be regarded as ‘hot off the press’. In fact, I first wrote of Frédéric’s arrival in this update, published last year. So they have been working together for a year or two now. Nevertheless, this year saw my first opportunity to meet Frédéric (or Fred, as he prefers to be known) and it was thus a good chance to find out where he has come from, and what he is about. I met him in February during a visit to the Loire, and as it happens our paths crossed again when he was in London a few months later.
