Menetou-Salon AOC
A historic appellation!
In terms of production and surface area, the Menetou-Salon AOC ranks third among the Loire Valley appellations. Ahead of it are its cousins Sancerre AOC and Pouilly-Fumé AOC. It is said that the wines of Menetou-Salon sometimes have a family resemblance with the wines of Sancerre! Although the Menetou-Salon AOC has been known since ancient times, its development only took off in the 1970s.
White, red and rosé wines made from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes make up the range of this Loire Valley appellation. It should be noted that the majority of the production, nearly 80%, is white wine. The production of red wines is rather recent.
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SHALL WE TASTE?
White Wine : Fresh and fruity!
Colour: The colour ranges from bright pale yellow to golden.
Nose : Notes of white flowers (orange blossom, acacia), citrus fruit and flint mingle with spicy and musky aromas. The nose is faithful to the expression of the terroir by the Sauvignon Blanc.
Mouth : The palate is mineral, shaped by fresh notes of mint as well as fruit such as apple, quince and orange. Hints of honey and spices complete the palate of the Menetou Salon white.
Red Wine : Flexible and structured
Colour: The colour is ruby red, sometimes with purplish tints.
Nose: Aromas of red fruit, ripe plum and candied fruit mingle with hints of aniseed.
Mouth : The palate is full, the structure is brilliantly balanced, the tannins are melted and racy, while offering a nice minerality. On the palate we find red fruit aromas on the nose such as cherry, but also notes of violet.
Vin Rosé : Freshness, lightness, delicateness
Colour: The colour ranges from pale pink to salmon pink with subtle grey reflections.
Nose: Aromas of fresh white fruit such as peach, followed by dried fruit.
Mouth : The aromas of the nose are echoed on the palate. Menetou Salon rosé remains fresh, light and delicate.
FOOD & WINE PAIRING
WHITE WINE : Menetou Salon white wine goes well with seafood platters, fish, scallop carpaccio or goat's cheese. It is also magnificent as an accompaniment to dishes with Asian flavours such as a bobun or Vietnamese salads.
Cellaring capacity :3 years
RED AND ROSÉ WINES : Ideal partner for grilled meat, chicken, snails and the famous Berrichon Easter pâté.
Cellaring capacity :6 years
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A flagship appellation of the Loire
A little less known to the general public than its neighbours Quincy or Sancerre, the appellation produces, as we have seen, white wine, rosé wine and red wine made from Pinot Noir and Sauvignon. The dry and fruity white wine is the main part of the production. The rosé wine is lively and refreshing. The fresh and easy drinking red wine can be drunk either young or after two or three years in the bottle.
Situated north-east of Bourges, the Menetou Salon vineyard extends over 465 hectares of hills planted on limestone sediment and comprises 10 communes: Menetou-Salon, Aubinges, Morogues, Parassy, Pigny, Quantilly, Saint-Céols, Soulangis, Vignoux-sous-les-Aix and Humbligny.
The Menetou Salon vineyard was discovered by the illustrious Jacques Coeur, King Charles VII's great silversmith. During a visit to the region, he fell in love with this vineyard and decided to buy a château and a few plots of land that he would cultivate. It is thanks to him that the wines of Menetou Salon were discovered, since he brought the wines of his production to the king's table. The wines were appreciated by the whole court for their aromas and quality. The future appellation went on to experience a royal boom!
