JonSmith
07-27-2008, 12:04 PM
Muscadet might be the perfect wine for the New Orleans summer (its GREAT, right JAG?).
Hailing from western edge of the Loire Valley around the city of Nantes, Muscadet Sevre et Maine is a wine growing region in which the Melon de Bourgogne grape is grown. It is this grape that is used to make Muscadet. Often times people see the word Muscadet and mistake it for Muscat, a very sweet, thick skinned grape when in fact the Melon de Bourgogne grape is what is used to make wine from the Muscadet region.
The wines are light and refreshing, but due to the aromatic composition of the grape and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Loire River there is a costal influence on the grapes that helps make a very complete wine that is balanced and lush as well as light and crisp. It is ideal with seafood and lighter dishes and it also makes a great starter wine as an apertif.
Also, you'll see sur lie printed on most labels, indicating the wine was aged with the skins and yeast, meaning the wine will have an extra dimension of flavor.
There are no really great Muscadet's nor any truly horrid ones either. So long as you are willing to spent about $10 - $13 you can get a really nice one. Again, the key is to make sure that you see Sur Lie and Sevre et Maine on the label.
You can find them all over town and a few of my favorites are'
'06 Domaine Trois Toits (****)
'06 Domaine de la Quilla (***)
'06 Domaine de la Dimiere (***)
'06 Chateau de la Batardie (**)
Hailing from western edge of the Loire Valley around the city of Nantes, Muscadet Sevre et Maine is a wine growing region in which the Melon de Bourgogne grape is grown. It is this grape that is used to make Muscadet. Often times people see the word Muscadet and mistake it for Muscat, a very sweet, thick skinned grape when in fact the Melon de Bourgogne grape is what is used to make wine from the Muscadet region.
The wines are light and refreshing, but due to the aromatic composition of the grape and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Loire River there is a costal influence on the grapes that helps make a very complete wine that is balanced and lush as well as light and crisp. It is ideal with seafood and lighter dishes and it also makes a great starter wine as an apertif.
Also, you'll see sur lie printed on most labels, indicating the wine was aged with the skins and yeast, meaning the wine will have an extra dimension of flavor.
There are no really great Muscadet's nor any truly horrid ones either. So long as you are willing to spent about $10 - $13 you can get a really nice one. Again, the key is to make sure that you see Sur Lie and Sevre et Maine on the label.
You can find them all over town and a few of my favorites are'
'06 Domaine Trois Toits (****)
'06 Domaine de la Quilla (***)
'06 Domaine de la Dimiere (***)
'06 Chateau de la Batardie (**)