Gros Plant du Pays Nantais

Gros Plant is a white wine made in the Loire valley. Its full name is Gros Plant du Pays Nantais and, as the name suggests, it is made in wine growing regions around the city of Nantes. The Gros Plant wine growing region is almost analogous with the Muscadet wine appellation and most Gros Plant is made by Muscadet producers. Until recently I had not realised that Gros Plant is the local name for the Folle Blanche grape variety. Most people will be more familiar with Folle Blanche as one of the traditional grape varieties in both the Cognac and Armagnac regions where it was a key component of Cognac and Armagnac brandies (although Baco blanc is now the preferred grape variety in these regions).

Check the current vintage and availability of Gros Plant here.

The name Gros Plant (which basically means “Big Vine” in French) can be traced back to 1732 in the Loire region. It had been introduced from the Loire down to Gascony (the Armagnac region) by Dutch wine merchants who used it in Eau de Vie production.

Gros Plant du Pays Nantais is a very dry, mineral and tart wine with high levels of acidity that is a traditional match with shellfish and oysters in particular. Most Gros Plant is a fairly basic wine but some producers also make a Sur Lie version and this period of ageing in the lees adds more flavour, texture and complexity to the wine. At Fareham Wine Cellar we supply Gros Plant du Pays Nantais Sur Lie from producer Domaine Henri Poiron.

Domaine Henri Poiron is a small family run wine estate located in the village of La Chapelle Huelin near Nantes who makes various different types of Muscadet and Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France.  The estate is run along the principals of Terra Vitis which is basically to respect nature as much as possible and to use sustainable winemaking.

Gros Plant du Pays Nantais Sur Lie, Domaine Henri Poiron

Tasting Notes: Very light coloured wine, aged Sur Lie to preserve its youthfulness and give extra suppleness. A very pale, light straw, yellow colour. There are fruity, floral and mineral notes which lead to the citrus, lemony palate with good, crisp acidity.

Most of this wine is consumed locally and on the domestic market although it is really worth tracking down if you are looking for a great wine to match with oysters.

See Domaine Henri Poiron’s Muscadet and other wines here.