Saint-Péray Mousseux Brut, Domaine Rémy Nodin

A rare style of sparkling wine from the Rhône valley, which was once lauded by Europe’s aristocracy

The oldest estate in Saint-Péray, Domaine Rémy Nodin is based around its fortified farmhouse ‘La Beylesse’. Lying at the foot of the limestone escarpment crowned by the medieval ruined castle of Crussol, Rémy and Amandine Nodin are the fourth generation of the family to grow grapes on this site. Former co-operateurs, they brought winemaking back to the Domaine with their first vintage in 2008. They have a small flock of sheep to keep weeds and undergrowth under control plus provide natural fertilizer and have been certified organic since the 2022 vintage.

From the early 1800s, the sparkling wines of Saint-Péray were lauded in the same sentence as Champagne but the ravages of phylloxera and unscrupulous 19th century négociants put paid to its reputation. Served to such luminaries as the Russian Tsars, Pope Pius VII and Queen Victoria, the appellation comprises some 98ha and was inaugurated in 1936.

Made from the earliest-picked grapes in the appellation, this Brut Nature bottling has no added sugar, giving a very pure expression of this rare Rhône sparkling wine. Blended from 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne that are grown on the Beylesse and Julière lieux-dits, it has a crisp, elegant acidity, rounded stone-fruit texture and fine mousse.

Colour – White, Sparkling
Producer – Domaine Rémy Nodin
Country – France
Region – Rhône
Vegan – No
ABV – 13%
Grapes – Marsanne, Roussanne
Vintage – NV
Sustainability – Non-Organic
Female Winemaker – Yes
Food Pairings – Fish and chips