Val de Loire Vendée Moulin Blanc Pinot Noir, Jérémie Mourat 2018

J.Mourat Pere et Fils produces the wines from vines planted in warm volcanic soils at the western end of the Loire region. It is the closest appellation to the sea, not far from the Vendée coast, where, inevitably, the ocean has greater influence than the river. Part of the vineyard holdings, the Clos Saint-André, was purchased from the Taittinger family of Champagne fame in 2006 and now produces the cream of the Mourat crop.

All in all the family have 67 hectares on largely southerly facing hillsides overlooking over the Lay valley, and dynamic young winemaker Jérémie Mourat makes the most of it with a range of vibrant wines predominantly from chenin, pinot noir, cabernet franc, négrette and cabernet sauvignon.

The stylish new cellar and tasting room, on the main road between Mareuil and La Roche sur Yonne, are well worth a visit, as is the shop and château in the small town of Mareuil itself. Fiefs Vendéens gained Appellation Contrôlée status from the 2011 vintage and is a popular region with locals and holidaymakers to the Vendée coast.