Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Straight Class: Jo Landron Vin Mousseux


Upon spotting a double facing of Jo Landron sparkling wine in the store last week, I was truly excited. Landron's muscadets (bottled under the Domaine de la Louvetrie label) are stellar, and I did not know that we would be getting in a bit of Jo's vin mousseux as well. Tonight I tried said bottle of sparkling wine from Muscadet, and it was not only good, but really fucking good.

Now I can appreciate sparklers from all over, whether it is a crisp cremant de Loire, an incomparable Schloss Gobelsburg sekt, or a classy cava like Raventos i Blanc. That being said, I appreciate these wines for what they are, without trying to make any comparison to Champagne (Gobelsburg, now that I think of it, is very champagne like as well). Jo's sparkling wine brings to mind good, entry level NV champagne. The intense golden yellow color, as well as the broad, creamy palate and soft mousse, suggests that this might be fruit from '00, and '01, though I really can not make this claim with any certainty. What is certain is the combination of chalky minerality, acidity and intense flavors that bring real deal champagne to mind. Not most grand marques, mind you, but solid entry level non-vintage grower champagne. Now that I've built this wine up, I don't believe that anyone else carries it, though there is a certain store in Manhattan who might be able bring some in from Jo himself....

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I need to try that. I just noticed that as well and thought it looked interesting. Didn't know about the producer though. Thanks Old World Old School.

Anonymous said...

which Manhattan shop?

Brooklynguy said...

wow - i had no idea he makes a sparkling wine. i assume its melon de bourgogne? if anyone brings it in, i assume it will be chambers street. its martin scott, right? i hope chambers buys it. nice notes-

Joe Manekin said...

80% Melon 20% Pinot Noir. I thought that CSW imports Landron directly? But yes, that's who I was referring to, since they carried a few of Jo's other wines.

Brooklynguy said...

i dunno, you might be right about them importing directly, but the bottles i see on their shelves say martin scott. and it's only fief du breil now.

Anonymous said...

Um, am I the only one who thinks that looks like Geraldo Rivera?

Joe Manekin said...

Fief du Breil - is it '04? That's good under $15 wine to cellar.

Yes, there is a definite Geraldo resemblance, here. I met Jo last summer and the resemblance holds true in person as well.

Candid Wines said...

Glad you liked the wine. I import Jo's wines, including the "Atmospheres" into Chicago. Look for it at smaller retailers like Red and White Wines or Perman Wines.

Also, the wine is Pinot Noir and Folle Blanche, not Melon.

Cheers,

Damien
Candid Wines
www.candidwines.com