When you think of the Loire Valley, the Fief Vendéens is probably not the first region that comes to mind, as its reputation is often overshadowed by the more popular wines of Pays Nantais (Muscadet Sevre et Maine, etc). But the fact that Fiefs Vendéens being lesser known is also the reason why it attracts people who loves obscure wines and regions, where finding excellent wines at a great price is a reasonable quest.

The Fiefs Vendéens AOC is a Loire wine region nestled in the foothills of the very ancient Massif Armorican bedrock just south of Pays Nantais. The appellation was awarded AOC status in 2011, and has five winegrowing areas: Brem(-sur-Mer), Mareuil(-sur-Lay-Dissais), Chantonnay, Pisotte, and Vix.

Red grapes can be found in 80% of the vineyards and most wines are blends, dominated by Negrette, Cab Franc, and Pinot Noir. Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay dominate the white blends. Pinot Noir and Gamay dominate rosé wines. Oh, and by law, all Fiefs Vendéens rosés can only be made using the trendy direct-press method. On this note, can somebody bring me a bottle of Vendée Rosé please?

Wines from this region are SO hard to find in Ontario, so I cried happy tears when my friends from Montreal brought me a bottle of J.Mourat. 

J. Mourat This Collection "Rouge" is a blend of Cab Franc, Negrette, Pinot Noir, and Gamay. A vibrant medium purple, with fresh black currants (fruit+leaves), some black cherries, paprika, cedar, top it off with a nice whiff of pencil shavings.

On the palette, holy raw meat... she's bloody!

I drank the wine over the course of 5 days and there was barely a dip in quality. Best yet, it only retails for $17 in the SAQ.

Of note, Mourat property itself is located in Mareuil-sur-Lay.

Mareuil-sur-Lay is situated on an ancient fault-line at the point where three ecosystems meet: the Lucon lowland, the Marais Poitevin and the Bocage Vendéen. The land is composed of schistes and rhyolites, influenced by the Maritime climate. The Vendée benefits from a cosmopolitan vineyard which traditionally combines a mixture of vine varieties from the Loire Valley and the South-West of France. - Vignobles Mourat

I hope you will have a chance to taste the wines from the Fiefs Vendéens AOC and share your experience with me!

Until next time.