Winemaker Wednesday: Château de l’Oiselinière
Tell us about your property (how long it has been in your family, how long you have been making wine there, the size, any growing philosophy you might have):
Le Château de l’Oiselinière has been in our family for about 5 years now. Since 1635 wine has been made at le Château de l’Oiselinière, and we are carrying on the tradition.Le Chateau de l’Oiselinière, sits upon 40 Hectares of vines and 45 Hectares of woods and meadows.Being responsible and caring for the environment is our motto, so this is why we now engage in sustainable agriculture and also why we are a part of the Terra Vitis Label. The Château de l’Oiselinière is now a bird sanctuary, as it should be since this property used to be a royal aviary.
If you do not come from a winemaking background, how did you come to the wine business?
The Verdier family first started in the wine business in the 19th century. Nowadays, Georges Verdier and three (of four) of his children still work in the wine world.
What is your favorite vintage and cuvee from your own property and why?
Muscadet sèvres et Maine sur Lie, Cuvée Les Illustres 2007
When you are not drinking your own wines, what are you drinking? What other wines, beers, etc. do you enjoy?
In the Verdier Family we always like to try new things and when it comes to drinks it is no different. We are very open minded, so this is why we don’t really have any preference on drinks other than our wines. We always search for excellence from any source.
What is your favorite food and what wine would you pair it with?
As explained before we are very open minded in the family, and everyone has a favourite dish. Since we live near the sea side, we love seafood, with of course Muscadet. We also really like grilled meats in the summer with some rosé.