Muscadet: It's Not Muscat!
"Pale, racy, and dry, Muscadet's appeal is its delicacy and the steely vigor it expresses within that context. Its tart lemon tang is offset by savory almond flavors and a Badoit-like taste of minerals. A barely perceptible sparkle lifts the wine across the palate with an exciting, hard, cold tingle, like a mountain stream flowing fast over rocks."--Jacqueline Friedrich, A Wine and Food Guide to the Loire
First thing everyone must know about Muscadet, it’s NOT Muscat!
So, don’t go curling up your lips and saying, “I don’t like sweet wine.” Doesn’t apply here, no relation whatsoever.
In fact, the wines from Muscadet are for those who like their white wines bone dry, unoaked and with bracing acidity.
Muscadet is located at the far western end of France’s Loire Valley. The grape grown in Muscadet is Melon de Bourgogne, a variety that seems to thrive in cool climates and wet or marine areas, which makes it a perfect partner for, you guessed it, seafood! Muscadet is a go-to oyster wine, but also loves mussels, clams and river fish.
Not a seafood lover? Makes no difference, don’t fret, these vibrant, crispy little value-driven whites are fun to just sip and pair great with green veggies, herbs, goat cheeses and salads with zesty vinaigrette.
Come get those mouths a-watering and lips-a-smacking.