At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Region
- Loire
- Main wines
- Muscadet and Chardonnay
- Featured bottle
- Château de la Ragotière Vieilles Vignes
- Defining practice
- Extended ageing on fine lees
The Producer
Schist and micaschist sit beneath Château de la Ragotière, one of three main properties operated by Les Frères Couillaud. The domaine also includes Château de la Morinière and Domaine du Petit Château. Its range joins Muscadet from Ragotière with La Désirée Chardonnay, an IGP Val de Loire white.
The Couillaud brothers bought Château de la Ragotière in 1979 and undertook major restoration in both the winery and vineyards to rehabilitate the property. Extended lees ageing is a signature technique. Lees are fine yeast sediment, and prolonged contact can add texture and savoury depth to a white wine while retaining freshness.
Place
The vineyards lie approximately 50 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean in an oceanic climate. Mica schist drains water quickly through its laminated layers, reducing water retention around the roots. At Château de la Ragotière, schist and micaschist produce late maturing wines suited to keeping.
Château de la Morinière has stony slopes facing south and southeast, producing fine and aromatic wines. Domaine du Petit Château faces south and produces wines of great delicacy.
Story
In 2006, Amélie and Vincent joined Bernard, Michel and François in the estate's stewardship, bringing innovative projects with environmentally friendly alternatives to vine cultivation. The Couillaud brothers also devoted 2.5 hectares to Collection Privée, an experimental vineyard devoted to unconventional grape varieties.
Wines
La Désirée Chardonnay is an IGP Val de Loire white made from Chardonnay. Freshness leads the wine, with honeydew melon, pear, herbs and mineral notes. Four months of sur lie ageing rounds the palate, giving the wine a fuller texture without losing its fresh character.
Château de la Ragotière Vieilles Vignes is a 2024 Muscadet from vines between 40 and 60 years old. It is pale yellow and spends 10 months on fine lees in underground tanks. Vallet Château de la Ragotière is a 2017 Muscadet, while a 2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine extends the Ragotière range to a wine aged 44 months on fine lees.
Final Word
Les Frères Couillaud makes Muscadet from schist rooted vineyards and Chardonnay shaped by sur lie ageing. Château de la Ragotière brings late maturing wines suited to keeping, while La Désirée brings freshness with pear, honeydew melon, herbs and mineral notes.
Sources
- www.freres-couillaud.com/en/accueil-2
- www.freres-couillaud.com/en/philosophy
- www.freres-couillaud.com/en/lesprit/our-terroir
- www.freres-couillaud.com/en/collection-privee-2
- www.freres-couillaud.com/en/chateau-de-la-ragotiere
- terrificwines.se/wines/la-desiree-chardonnay
- boutique.freres-couillaud.com/produit/chateau-de-la-ragotiere-les-vieilles-vignes