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Melon de Bourgogne—a unique white grape that usually hides under the famous name Muscadet in the wine world. Although the grape's name reveals its historical origins in Burgundy, its true and only home today is on the western edge of the Loire Valley, where the vineyards are cooled by Atlantic Ocean breezes. This white wine is a true icon of freshness and minerality. In the glass, it reveals subtle aromas of green apples, lemons, sea salt, and crushed stone. It is the ideal choice for those seeking a wine that isn't overwhelmingly aromatic but is incredibly crisp, elegant, and perfectly paired with fresh seafood.
France
France
History tells us that Melon de Bourgogne originated in Burgundy (it is a cross between Pinot Blanc and Gouais Blanc). However, due to its relatively neutral flavor and resistance to frost, it was relocated to the Loire Valley in the 17th century, near the city of Nantes (the Pays Nantais region).
Here, in the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine appellation, this grape found its perfect terroir. The rocky soils and maritime climate shaped the character of a wine that is globally recognized today as the ultimate reflection of the ocean in a glass.
Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet) is the undisputed king of seafood.
It is the most famous, absolutely classic pairing for fresh oysters—the wine's acidity and minerality act like a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, while its sea salt notes perfectly echo the brininess of the oysters.
This wine also pairs fantastically with mussels in white wine sauce (Moules Marinières), fried calamari, fresh shrimp, light white fish, and soft goat cheeses.
Translated from French, it means "on the lees." After fermentation, the wine is left in tanks along with the dead yeast cells over the winter. This contact enriches the otherwise neutral Melon de Bourgogne wine: it gives it a rounder body, a more complex flavor, and sometimes preserves a slight, playful prickle of carbon dioxide on the tip of the tongue.
No. Although the name "Melon" can be misleading, the wine does not have melon aromas. It is believed that this name originated because the shape of the grape berries or the vine leaves resembles a round melon.
This is another very common mistake. Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne) is a completely dry, very crisp wine with a neutral, mineral-driven aroma. Meanwhile, Muscat is an incredibly aromatic grape (smelling of roses and apricots) often used to make sweet wines. These two wines have absolutely nothing in common.
