Melon de Bourgogne

Melon de Bourgogne is the grape that produces the wine called “Muscadet”.  Planted in the area around Nantes on the coast of Brittany in western France.  This is where the Loire Valley flows into the Atlantic Ocean.  The grape is relatively neutral, the wines are light bodied and crisp with a distinct maritime influence of salinity and freshness.  Winemakers long ago realized that by leaving these white wines on their yeast sediment (“sur lie” until Spring following harvest, the wines gained some mid palate richness and a slight spritz which adds to their freshness.