Joseph Mellot Menetou-Salon Clos du Pressoir, Loire, France 2023

As recorded in written documents, Menetou-Salon vineyard dates back to antiquity. In the Middle Ages, the lords made numerous donations to various religious orders present in the region, in particular to the famous Abbey of Saint Sulpice-Lès-Bourges. But, above all, it was Jacques Cœur, King Charles VII’s Treasurer, who gave a significant boost to the wines of this appellation. Under the spell of the vineyard and its wines, he brought them to the King’s table where the greatest Lords of that time greatly enjoyed them.

Created in 1959, the Menetou-Salon AOC spreads over 10 villages: Menetou-Salon, Aubinges, Morogues, Parassy, Pigny, Quantilly, Saint-Céols, Soulangis, Vignoux-sous-les-Aix and Humbligny. There are two very specific types of soil. There are Kimmeridgian marlswith small oysters fossils and limestone on softly rolling lands. In the Secondary Era, the sea was indeed covering the current vineyard surface and therefore created limestone sediments very rich in shells, in particular these small comma-shaped/curled oysters.

The white wines, only made from Sauvignon Blanc, are characterized by their vividness and minerality. They feature citrus and exotic fruits aromas and taste supple and fresh.