This wine made from the Muscadet grape, is also known as Melon de Bourgogne.
These wines come from the southern region of the Loire Valley and this one’s label tells us which of the three appellations (or regions) this one comes from. “Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie” named for two rivers in the area. Unlike most French nomenclature, the region is named after the grape “Muscadet” rather than a town or some such thing as is the norm. It is a widely planted grape with over 32,000acres yielding around 17 million gallons per year.
The other two regions or appellations are Muscadet Coteaux de Loire and Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu.
This wine cost me $7.50 which was a great surprise after tasting it. It is light straw in color with a gentle yet definite bouquet that is sweet full of summer fruit. The nose is baffling in a good way. It is at first full of lime and lemon but then no, maybe grapefruit(?) er, uh, no it’s peach. It smells like none of them and then again all of them. Maybe it’s “stone fruit!” (Kidding—I wouldn’t know a stone fruit if someone threw one at me.) Like I said, baffling but very nice!
In the mouth this is just plain wonderful; simple and yet not at all sweet as the bouquet would lead you to believe. It is marvelously acidic which makes it fresh and great with food. (We had it with King crab leg appetizers and bruschetta on our porch enjoying the Summer warmth. Ahhhhhh…)
In a moment later, the mid palate is brimming with—I kid you not—peanuts! It’s wild and I love it! The finish is tight but pleasant. Viva La French wine! This one makes my recommendation list! Chill it a bit and then raise a glass!
Muscadet is a place, not a grape.
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