Muscadet

AOP/AOC by decree dated 23rd September 1937, amended November 16th 2011.

VINEYARD

Location This vineyard area at the western extremity of the Loire Valley is bordered to the north by Brittany, the foothills of the Mauges and the Bocage Vendéen to the east and south east, the Marais Breton alluvial plain to the sout west and the Retz Atlantic coastline to the west.

Vineyard area 8,430 ha across all Muscadet appellations, including 1,600 hectares for the general appellation.

Soils A varied structure of igneous and metamorphic rock from the Massif Armoricain, made up mainly of gneiss, mica schist, and smaller quantities of amphibolite gabbro and granite.

Climate Chiefly temperate oceanic, with precipitation evenly spread throughout  the  year.  There  are variations in climate between one end of the region and the other caused by their varying distances from the coast, the Loire or other expanses of water.

 

WINE

Average annual production over the last  5 years 357,000  hl   for   all   Muscadets,   including 79,200 for Muscadet AOP.

Base yield 65 hl/ha for the regional appellation.

Grape Variety Melon de Bourgogne.

Growing practices

Planting density 5,000 vines per hectare Pruning: Single guyot to 10 buds

Aging on lees A  traditional  practice,  formalised  in  1977.  Lees  aging  is  specific  to the Nantais vineyards.

 

TASTING NOTES

Appearance Light in colour with green highlights.

Nose Floral, fruity aromas

Palate If  aged  on  lees,  the   wine   is   very   rich and supple. Lees aging gives the fresh Muscadet wines a distinctively crisp, vibrant character.

Serve at 9° – 11°C

 

FOOD PAIRINGS

Young Muscadets are fresh and light, and pair well with fresh oysters, smoked eel and grilled sardines.