Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine

The Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine appellation covers 23 communes southeast of Nantes and takes its name from two rivers that flow through the vineyards: the Petite Maine and the Sèvre Nantaise. The Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine vineyard covers more than 9,000 hectares and is planted on soils with a very varied structure of igneous and metamorphic rocks from the Armorican Massif, mainly gneiss, mica schist, green rocks and, to a lesser extent, granite. The entire vineyard enjoys a temperate oceanic climate with rainfall spread throughout the year. From one end of the vineyard to the other, the climatic characteristics are more nuanced. This situation is due to the varying distances from the coast, the Loire River, and other bodies of water. Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine wines were granted AOC status by a decree in 1936.

Annual production amounts to 418,000 hectoliters. The appellation's grape variety is Melon de Bourgogne, or Muscadet. The crystalline rocks of the southeast of Nantes give it more finesse than the sedimentary rock areas. It is one of the earliest ripening grape varieties in France. Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine wines are often full-bodied with good aging potential depending on the terroir. Among the appellation's many producers, we would highlight the wines offered by estates such as Domaine Pierre Luneau Papin, Domaine Brégéon, Domaine Joseph Landron, Domaine de l'Ecu, and Domaine de la Pépière.

Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine wine can benefit from the "Sur Lie" distinction: at the beginning of the century, Nantes winegrowers used to keep the best barrel of the harvest to celebrate major family events. Kept without racking, this "wedding barrel" gave the wines a special character. They were fresher on the palate and had a more complete bouquet. Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine "Sur Lie" was born.