For greatness and value in France, we go directly to Domaine de la Pépière on the western edge of the Loire. Pepiere's wines offer immediate satisfaction, age at a glacial pace, and rival the sophistication found in Sancerre and Chablis at half the price. 

Monnieres-St-Fiacre, planted in sandy limestone on gneiss, is the first officially designated cru in Muscadet. Pépière owns 3.35 hectares within the cru. The vines were planted in 1948, 1984 and 1991.