Muscadet (Muscadet) is a French wine region in the Loire Valley and is a key appellation of the region of the Pays Nantes (Pays Nantais), is devoted exclusively to white wines from the grape variety melon de Bourgogne (or just melon).
This wine is often confusion due to the similarity of the sound of Muscadet and varieties Muscadelle (Muscadelle) and Moscatel (Muscat). However, one drink of dry prickly Muscadet convincingly show that neither Muscat or Muscadelle with him was not lying.
There is no such grade as “Muscadet”. There is a Muscadet wine from varieties of melon de Bourgogne. A variety of Muscadetl is used in the production of Bordeaux Sauternes.
The common wine of the appellation Muscadet
Studying French wine, it is easy to see that giving names to their wines, the French appealed to the territory (hence the primacy of the concept of the appellation) and to a much lesser extent grapes, which can act only in individual subcategories in the framework of geographical indications (e.g. Bourgogne Aligote, Cabernet d’anjou, Sauvignon from Saint-Bris, etc.). The Frenchman asks him to pour Chambertin or Pommard – not Pinot Noir, Chablis or Montrachet – not Chardonnay.
The region of Muscadet in the 17th century was known for its red wines, but freezing in the early 18th century ruined the planting of red vines and were planted with melon de Bourgogne – hardy white grape variety. From Burgundy, it is not difficult to guess.
The vineyards are concentrated mainly to the South and East of Nantes, on the banks of the local rivers – the Loire and its tributaries.
Muscadet is one of the most prolific of the appellations of France (in first place with its Bordeaux red wines) and recognized the accompaniment to the seafood.
The area is popular as a tourist destination among the French, who come here for a delicious plate of fruits de mer with a glass of cold Muscadet living.
In the 1970s-80s local wines have become very popular in England, but then they suffered the same fate as the German Rieslings: increased demand has pushed producers to strive for quantity over quality, as a result, the devaluation of the name (German Riesling and French wines of Muscadet) and downfall of both.
Muscadet is represented by four appellations:
Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine is the most productive and the most famous of them. It accounts for about 80% of the wine produced.
Melon de Bourgogne – is not particularly bright variety. And if you do not give it proper attention in the vineyard and in the winery, the wine will be flat and uninteresting. This is especially important in hot years when grapes lose acidity or any complexity. Fortunately, in the Loire one of the most wet and cold harvest seasons in France, so growers often happens to watch good aging than loss of acidity of the berries melon.
For the development of more flavors, many producers of Muscadet leave it to age on the lees (method “sur lie”, FR. sur lie) for several weeks or even months.
Prolonged contact of the wine with the sediment gives it a soft and rich taste, and overall enriches the bouquet. In each of the appellations of Muscadet have a version of wine aged on the lees (sur lie) and without it. In the first case, this feature is reflected on the label:
Muscadet “sur lie” – aged on the lees
Good examples of Muscadet have subtle notes of apples and citrus, often with a slight touch of green pepper and the apparent saltiness. The best examples are often credited with “mineral” character.
Overall, as You wish. But it is useful to know how to do. First, about…
Balearic Islands (Las Islas Baleares), an archipelago near the Eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula…
Asturias (Asturias) is a region in Northern Spain. And though he never really paid much…
Cantabria (Cantabria) is a small region on the Northern coast of Spain, situated layer between…
The Aosta valley (Valle d'aosta, Aosta Valley) is the smallest and least populated wine region…