Winemaker Notes
Maison Lain De La Treille is located in the heart of Loire Valley since 1885. Vineyards owner and winemaker, Alain De La Treille creates diverse and delicate wines on the most prestigious vineyards with the same passion and aim: Offering the best expression of the French Terroir, keeping the highest respect of land and people. Lionel Métaireau is the winemaker of Maison Alain De La Treille since 2008. He is native of Le Pallet in the Muscadet Vineyard, close to Nantes. Belonging to the 6th generation of his family domain, Lionel is born in the winemaking world. He joined the Maison Alain De La Treille in 2008 with the aim of revealing French varietal grapes with a local and unique style.
A small category representing the wines that either fall outside of appellation lines or don’t subscribe to the law and traditions set forth by the French government within certain classified appellations, “Vin De France” is a catch-all that includes some of the most basic French wines as well as those of superior quality. The category includes large production, value-driven wines. It also includes some that were made with a great deal of creativity, diligence and talent by those who desire to make wine outside of governmental restrictions. These used to be called Vin de Table (table wine) but were renamed to compete with other European countries' wines of similar quality.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.