For me, Melon de Bourgogne (aka Muscadet) from Loire Valley is not always the easiest and most expressive grape variety to identify in a blind wine tasting. In this article, we are going to dive into the characteristics of Muscadet based on classic examples, following a structure commonly used by wine institutions like Court of Master Sommeliers (COMS) and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). We will also compare it with other grape varieties that could be commonly confused and highlight the nuances.
Appearance
- Very light pale straw
- No rim variation
- Look for “lees”/ small particles
Aromas and flavours
Fruits: Strong focus on citrus with fresh lemon & grapefruit, and also green apple, underripe pear
Floral: Light white floral note
Tea: Hint of white tea and touch of bitterness, fresh almond
Others: Salty, mineral, marine note often with oyster shell and yeasty aroma e.g. Lager beer
Sweetness
Bone dry to dry
Acidity
Medium plus to high
Alcohol
Medium (~12% ABV)
Body
Light
Comparison to others
Pinot Gris from Friuli-Venezia Giulia: tends to be lower. in acidity, higher in alcohol with more fruit ripeness and often shows more rim variation / hue
Cortese from Gavi di Gavi in Piedmont: slightly lower acidity but with a bit riper citrusy fruit spectrum. Brighter appearance (no lees) and some fresh herbal notes
Classic examples
- Muscadet Sèvre et Maine “Sur lie” by Domaine des Cognettes
- Muscadet Sèvre et Maine “Granite” by Domaine de l’Ecu
What makes it unique
- Very light in colour (often with lees)
- Very delicate aroma and flavour
- Often a high degree of neutrality with a pronounced mineral, marine and underripe to just ripe citrusy aroma/ flavour
Stefan Neumann MS
Austrian born, London based Master Sommelier – I am passionate about wine and a strong believer that wine should connect people. Hence I have made it my mission to share my wine knowledge and experience with like-minded individuals who would like to be part of this journey.
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