France — wine

Muscadet AOC

Loire Valley white wine appellation at the Atlantic coast producing Melon de Bourgogne wines; the 'Sèvre et Maine' sub-appellation is the quality heartland on schist, granite, and gneiss soils. Extended lees aging ('sur lie' — minimum winter on the lees) creates yeasty, brioche richness alongside the briny, saline freshness. The world's definitive oyster wine; misunderstood but increasingly celebrated for its complexity and terroir expression.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Good vintage; warm summer balanced by Atlantic humidity; Melon shows citrus and brine character
2021 Excellent; cool Atlantic year; Muscadet's natural acidity pristine; best sur lie wines outstanding
2020 Good growing season; gneiss and granite terroirs well-expressed; sur lie wines rich and mineral
2019 Excellent vintage; Atlantic conditions perfect; Muscadet shows saline mineral and lees complexity
2018 Good year; Melon de Bourgogne shows briny mineral freshness; sur lie wines have excellent depth