Lionel Gosseaume, 2024 Update
Lionel Gosseaume spent fifteen years working for one of France’s most powerful unions before he decided, understandably to my mind, to leave behind the world of industrial relations and return to the fold, the vineyards of Touraine. By this time the family domaine was already firmly in the hands of his brother, so instead Lionel started out alone, with just a handful of hectares. He has never looked back. Today he has closer to 35 hectares, and he is clearly one of the leading vignerons in the Touraine and Touraine Oisly appellations.
Despite having handed in his notice with the union it seems Lionel could not stay away from politics as in 2021 he assumed the presidency of InterLoire, an office he held until handing over to Camille Masson (a négociant, which is why the name might be unfamiliar) earlier this year. Only for Lionel to then assume the presidency of the Touraine and Touraine Oisly appellations.
As for his wines, the range here remains as interesting as ever, including a new and upmarket rosé cuvée which I reported on in my Loire 2023 First Taste report, and the usual experiments with idiosyncratic varieties, most notably Meslier-Saint François, with Côt and Menu Pineau bringing up the rear, presented through his Climat No. 1, 2 and 3 labels.
Earlier this year I met up with Lionel to taste his latest releases.
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