Jo Landron MV 'Atmosphères' Organic Brut, Loire Valley, France

Jo Landron MV 'Atmospheres' Organic Brut, Loire Valley, France

Winemaker: Jo Landron

Farming: Organic

Variety: 70% Folle Blanche, 22% Chardonnay, 8% Pinot Noir

Terroir: Produced from young vines grown in sandy, rocky clay soils. 

Vinification: Hand harvested and fermented in vat. Methode Champenoise techniques are used here with a dosage of 5g/l. 

Tasting Notes: Crisp, dry and aromatic, this refreshing sparkler brings the classic notes of crushed oyster shell, tart green apple skins and a long, full finish. Perfect for an early evening drink with some fresh seafood. 

December 2020 Bottle Club Notes:

Jo Landron   |  ‘Atmosphères’ Organic Brut  |  Loire Valley, France  |  MV

If Cara looked back at her history of learning about wine, she can tie certain elements of her expertise to particular producers and wines.  For example, if Cara thinks about Biodynamics, she remembers a seminar from 2009 where Ted Lemon of Littorai waxed poetic about his vineyards in Sonoma. On the concept of Terroir, Cara learned so much from winemaker Jo Landron of the Loire Valley. Jo is a humble man hiding behind a big, bushy, grey moustache. His wines are incredible, and each of his unique terroirs finds a showcase in a bottling of its own, and he is the first to tell you that as a winemaker, he has nearly nothing to do with how good his wines are. He gives 100% of the credit to what Mother Nature has given him.

Situated on the upper slopes of Sèvre River near Nantes, France, the vineyards of Domaine de la Louvetrie, Jo Landron’s estate, are planted with the cool climate grapes this Atlantic reach of the Loire Valley is known for– Melon de Bourgogne primarily, plus a small amount of Folle Blanche, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. The Melon Bourgogne makes up the wines Jo is perhaps most famous for- his creamy, citrusy Muscadets. But the Folle Blanche and Pinot Noir are saved for perhaps his most delightful wine- Atmosphères Brut, a methode traditionelle sparkling wine with a cute personality and complete uniqueness in the region.

Jo calls Atmosphères the ‘fairy of the winery’, with a delicate persistence with pure, crystalline features. The wine is completely dry and light on its feet, but for all its oyster shell-like minerality, it displays a sturdy body and full finish (thanks, no doubt, to the Pinot Noir). 100% organic, the vines are a mix of younger babies (under 10 years old) and those approaching their mid-40s. The grapes are all hand harvested and sorted in the vineyard before being gently pressed before undergoing a completely natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Jo doesn’t rack his wines, instead letting the juice sit on its fine lees for four months, which adds to the body and creaminess of the final wine. Then, Jo gives the wines 12-24 months in the cellar as the bubbles form and the wine ages, and when it's finally ready to disgorge and send to market, he adds only the tiniest bit of liqueur d’expédition. Jo wants you to enjoy this dry and perfectly pleasant bubbly to enjoy on its own or with the accompaniment of oysters, shrimp cocktail, crudo, melons and prosciutto, and any other light snack. Perhaps pop this with Christmas brunch or on New Year’s Day, when you can enjoy a light and refreshing glass of the French countryside on a foggy morning.