Dry white wines: fresh and elegant
Dry white wines: fresh and elegant
Freshness and elegance: the Loire signature
When freshness and elegance meet, the whole of the Loire expresses itself! And in the vineyards of Nantes, freshness is an art of living! Here, fresh, elegant dry white wines are made from a flagship grape variety: Melon B., the undisputed star of Muscadet. Planted in the region by monks in the 17th century, this unique grape variety produces a mineral, precise and vibrant style of wine.
On the crystalline rocks of the Armorican Massif - granite, gneiss, micaschists - it gives birth to wines with delicate aromas of citrus fruit, white flowers and white-fleshed fruit, underlined by a chiselled minerality and salinity that recall the oceanic influence.
Muscadets, Gros Plant and "crus communaux": the authentic expression of the Nantes terroir
On the Muscadet side, a number of exceptional terroirs produce wines matured on lees, developing a silky texture and beautiful aromatic complexity. The Crus Communaux du Muscadet - Clisson, Gorges, Le Pallet, Château-Thébaud, Goulaine, Monnières-Saint-Fiacre, Mouzillon-Tillières, La Haye-Fouassière and Vallet - showcase the variety of terroirs in the appellation, with extended ageing and limited yields. They reveal subtle notes of ripe fruit, gunflint and mild spices, while retaining the signature freshness of the Nantes vineyards.
Whether Gros Plant or Muscadet, these wines are true ambassadors of the liveliness and elegance of the Loire. In short, classics to have on hand... and in your glass!
There's more to the Nantes wine region than Muscadet! Alongside Melon B., the Folle Blanche variety also plays a major role, giving rise to the Gros Plant du Pays Nantais appellation. Renowned for its sharp liveliness and great freshness, this dry, crystalline wine seduces with its aromas of citrus fruit, green apple and its iodine finish, perfect with seafood and oysters.
Why is Muscadet often matured on lees?
Ageing on lees is a technique specific to wines from the Nantes vineyards, particularly Muscadet. The wine rests for several months on its lees, the fine sediment consisting mainly of yeast that settles to the bottom of the vat after fermentation. This process gives the wine greater roundness, a slightly pearly texture and complex aromas ranging from citrus fruit to brioche notes.
This is what makes Muscadet such a singular wine, with its consistently brilliant freshness and long finish.
How to enjoy these wines to appreciate all their finesse?
Serve them between 10 and 12°C, in a suitable glass, to reveal their tension and delicate aromas.
What are the best food and wine pairings for fresh, elegant dry white wines?
Fresh, elegant dry white wines are the perfect accompaniment to seafood, fine fish or fresh cheeses.