MONMOUSSEAU

FRANCE

THE HISTORY

The tradition began with the audacity and expertise of Alcide Monmousseau who founded in 1886, this fine wine merchant house in Montrichard (Loir et Cher), where he discovered one of the most important quarries of regional tuffeau stone. Abandoned after having being used to build the royal castles of the Loire, the quarry was brought back to life by Alcide, who transformed it into magnificent winemaking cellars. 

At the beginning of this century, Justin-Marcel Monmousseau, the nephew and successor of Alcide at the head of the House of Monmousseau, discovered great similarities between the terroirs and grape varieties of the vineyards of Champagne and those of Touraine. He managed to make a Great Wine, according to the method used by Dom Pérignon that he had had the opportunity of carefully studying. Within less than 5 years, he entered “The Fine Sparkling Wine Market” and became internationally renowned. As of 1930, the sparkling wines of Justin Marcel Monmousseau were distributed throughout Europe, including at the dinner table of Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden. They were notably sold in the United States and Japan, where they are still popular today. After the death of Justin-Marcel in 1972, the family dynasty continued up until 1994.

THE WINERY

The house of Monmousseau is at the heart of the Loire valley in Montrichard. This region is remarkable for the quality of its architectural heritage, its historic towns and its prestigious constructions, drenched in history. Its majestic castles, such as Chambord, Chenonceau or Cheverny, retrace and relate the story of every more or less important historic event in France. Situated along the Cher River, irresistible Montrichard, within the district of Monmousseau, is a medieval city with character at the crossroads of the region’s tourist attractions. The House of Monmousseau has established its guided tour within this exceptional environment. Its cellars are presented in an artistic, magical and unique way, in view of promoting the region’s heritage and rich troglodyte dwellings.

Monmousseau masters the art of blending Loire Valley appellations and the production of still wines. The variety of the soils in Touraine and the diversity of the area’s grape varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc or more specifically Cot (Malbec) produce complex and top quality Monmousseau wines. The company selects the best grapes and implements authentic and traditional winemaking techniques, in view of obtaining elegant and prestigious wines with character. The wines are entirely made in the cellar. With its perfect and constant temperature of 12°C, this old quarry is a privileged place for the elaboration of Monmousseau’s wines according to traditional techniques.

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Vouvray

The nose and the mouth are very complimentary seduced by some sweet apple aromas which then goes to lime. A remarkable balance between a tender and very aromatic structure, and the elegant touch of bitterness of the Chenin Blanc grape-variety. It is a wine for ageing that will develop with pleasure during 5 to 6 years keeping all its freshness. Drunk young they are vibrant and fresh with aromas of fruit its color will go to some golden tones then slightly amber with age

Rosé d’Anjou Justin

Blending of Cabernet Franc and Grolleau.
A pale pink color, slightly salmon and translucent, seduces the eye. Semi-sweet, light in alcohol, very aromatic with red fruit smells, it is a ‘ summer wine ‘ par excellence. Serve it chilly at about 8°C. Perfect with poultry and white meat, it skillfully goes with all spring and summer meals. You can also appreciate it during hot sunny summer afternoons.

Touraine Sauvignon Blanc Justin

A delicate straw-like yellow color. Slightly musky aromas of flowers and citrus fruit. The wine is young and fresh, but keeps its fat and round character to the taste, with a long-lasting note. Remarkable as an aperitif wine, it will express all its flavor when tasted with fish or seafood.

Brut Etoile

This blend is made with Chenin Blanc, a variety well adapted to the Loire valley climate, also known under many other names throughout the world, in particular Pineau de la Loire. This wine was made according to the Traditional Method process in our underground cellar. During the bottle fermentation (secondary fermentation) and its maturation, it was kept lying down on laths for some 12 months minimum and a temperature of 12°C.

AOC Chinon

The 1,500 hectares of vineyards stretch out on both sides of the Vienne river, and almost run to the Loire river. The geological nature of soils here is varied according to their location: -on slopes and plateau: chalky, clay soils giving great keeping wines.  100% Cabernet Franc. A beautiful ruby color. A subtle and intense bouquet of red fruit with a note of violets, you can find this again in mouth. Fleshy but elegant, this wine also has a good structure which will enable it to age nicely for several years. Chinon can be drunk young or after several years in your cellar.