Tour de France: Melon de Bourgogne, Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine, Sur Lie, DOMAINES VINET, "DOMAINE ST. MARTIN" Loire, France, 2011

DOMAINE ST. MARTIN was started in 1830 by a monk, located on the edge of the Maine river, less than twenty acres and on one lot, which is unusual in the Muscadet region. The harvest begins early September. The yields are not excessive (55 hl/ha) and all the fruit is harvested by hand.  Kept “sur lie” (on the lees; the yeast post fermentation)  for eight months before being bottled at the end of May, unlike most in this appellation who bottle in March.  This is a unique wine that everyone should try at least once, preferably on a hot summer day with some delicious fresh seafood.

• RESILIENT
• Lime
• Tangerine
• Chalk
• White Almond
• Refreshing

Please, do not become confused; other French wines are named for their appellation: Burgundy, Champagne, Cotes-du-Rhone, etc. Muscadet follows neither convention; Muscadet is the name of the wine, not the region nor the grape,  and the specific area name is added on; “ de Sevre et Maine,” reflecting their origin in the region around the Sevre and Maine rivers that flow into the Loire river.  This wine is made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, considered a cousin of Chardonnay.