France - Loire

Question 1

Which are the four Muscadet appellations, and their sizes?

Answer 1

There’s two larger appellations, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine AOC (6,400 ha, the Loires largest appellation) and Muscadet AOC, and two much smaller, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC and Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOC

Question 2

What are the maximum yields within the Muscadet appellations?

Answer 2

Muscadet AOC is 65hL/ha (rising to 70 in 2020)
The other three and Muscadet sur lie is limited to 55hL/ha

Question 3

What is the typical style and price of Muscadet wine?

Answer 3

Dry, low intensity green apple and grassy aromas, high acidity and a light body.
Inexpensive, and acceptable to good quality (some very good).

Question 4

Which AOC can sur lie be added to? What are the regulations associated?

Answer 4

Can be added to any of the four Muscadet AOCs.
Wines must be bottled between March 1st and Nov 30th of the following year, and in the winery in which they were made; this later bottling, in comparison to many other whites, adds to cost.

Question 5

What is the implication of sur lie for négociants?

Answer 5

They can only buy grapes, must or bottled wine, not wine to be aged sur lie.

Question 6

What has recently been launched to raise the profile of Muscadet? How does this system work?

Answer 6

Ten cru communaux’s have been added, including Clisson Gorges and Le Pallet.
If the grapes have been grown exclusively in one of the defined areas, the name can be added, eg, Muscadet Sevre et Maine AOC Clisson.
Wines have a lower max yield of 45hL/ha
Have to be kept on the lees for 18 (Le Pallet) or 24 months (Clisson, Gorges), adding to cost.
They cannot be labelled sur lie as the requirement for long lees ageing means they are bottled after the required date.
Wines are typically rounder and more complex with longer finishes.