French Grapes

Melon Blanc
Melon de Bougogne

Melon Blanc is a white grape from Pays Nantais in Loire.

Melon Blanc Flavors

Citrus, Green Apple and Pear are typical Muscadet flavors.

With a hint of "Salty Ocean".

Lemon

Apple

Pear

Seashell

Melon Blanc Profile

Muscadet is light, dry, and delicate with a slightly fizzy finish:

SUGAR:	Dry 3g/l

BODY:	Light

FRUIT:	Medium - Low

ACIDITY:	High

ALCOHOL:	12% ABV

	Serving temperature: 8-10°C (46-50°F)

Melon Blanc Food Pairing

Muscadet pairs well with Seafood, Fried Fish, and Fried Chicken.

Aperitif

Oysters

Shrimps

Seafood

Fish

Chicken

Chips

Soft Cheese

Excellent Pairings

Oysters. Mussels
Clams. Shrimps.
Plain Fish. Sea Bass.
Fried Fish. French Fries.
Fish and Chips.

French Specialities

Snails or Prawns with Garlic.
Roast Chicken with French Fries.

The Ideal Glass for Melon Blanc

A Riesling Glass has a tall and narrow bowl to emphasize the aromas of the wine.

The shape also helps balance the high acidity often found in Rieslings.

The glass is also perfect for any other bone dry wines with high acidity like Chablis, Chenin Blanc, Picpoul and Vinho Verde.

Melon Blanc Cheese Pairing

Melon Blanc is known for its light, crisp, and sometimes slightly fruity profile. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses.

Go for cheeses with moderate saltiness and creaminess to balance the wine's acidity.

You can also add fresh fruits (grapes, apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), or a drizzle of honey to enhance the pairing.

Feta

Chèvre

Mozzarella

Ricotta

Brie

Camembert

Fontina

Neufchâtel

Gouda

Gruyère

Serra Estrela

Robiola

Fresh and Mild Cheeses

The tanginess of a Goat Cheese (Feta, Chèvre) will complements the subtle fruit notes in Melon Blanc.

The delicate flavor of a Mozzarella pairs well with the wine's lightness.

Ricotta is especially good if served with a drizzle of honey or fresh fruits.

Soft Cheeses

The creamy texture and mild flavors of a Brie work beautifully with Melon Blanc.

Camembert is similar to Brie but with slightly more earthiness.

The nutty, buttery qualities of a Fontina can make a good match.

Semi-Soft Cheeses

A lightly aged Gouda can add a complementary tang to Melon Blanc.

Serra Estrela is classic Spanish pairing. It has a creamy texture and a rich, buttery flavor.

Gruyère is mildly nutty and sweet, enhancing the wine's subtlety.

Blue Cheeses (for contrast)

The mild creaminess of a Robiola or a Gorgonzola Dolce can contrasts nicely without overpowering the wine.

If You Like Melon Blanc

You Will Also Like:

Arinto (Portugal)

Bourgogne Blanc (France)

Burgundy White (France)

Vinho Verde (Portugal)

About Muscadet

Muscadet is made on the grape Melon de Bourgogne in the Muscadet wine region, which lies furthest in the French Loire Valley towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Wine grapes have been planted in Muscadet since Roman times, but after a frost that killed most of the grapes in 1709, farmers began to plant Melon de Bourgogne. Today, this is the only permitted grape in this area.

These white wines are unparalleled in terms of style and quality for money.

Muscadet can compete with Chablis at a lower price.

Wine Region Loire

Loire Valley Climate

Different regions are subject to different climate influences:

Lower Loire (Muscadet and Pays Nantais) has a cool maritime climate with high rainfall.
Middle Loire (Anjou-Saumur and Touraine) has a cold climate with a mix of oceanic and continental influence.
Central Loire (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé) has a cold continental climate with cold winters and warm summers.

Loire Valley Terroir

The terroir in the Loire Valley is incredibly varied due to its geographic spread:

Lower Loire is known for its granite and schist soils, which give the wines (Muscadet) a distinctive mineral character.
Middle Loire has limestone, clay and sand soils. The Saumur and Touraine soils can be good for both white and red wines.
Central Loire has limestone and silex (flint) soils which give the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé wines their signature smoky and mineral flavors.