Pays Nantais - Loire

Question 1

Climate and Soils

Answer 1

Cool maritime climate with cool springs and warm humid summers.

Rain throughout the growing season, particularly in the spring (flowering & fruit set) and fall (harvest).

Well drained soils help to offset the frequent rain.

Spring frosts are a serious problem and set back the whole region in 1991 and a problem in recent years.

Producers are putting in more measures such as burning hay bails, heaters, and wind machines.

Question 2

Grapes

Answer 2

Melon (aka Melon de Bourgogne or Muscadet) is the only allowed grape in most Muscadet appellations.

Quite hardy making it suitable to the cool region. Buds early (spring frosts) ripens early (autumn rains)

Can produce high yields

Good resistance to powdery mildew but susceptible to downy and botrytis bunch rot (which thrive in a humid climate). Timely spraying is necessary.

High acidity, light body, and low alcohol. Low aromatic intensity. Good to very good and inexpensive to mid.

As of 2018 Basic Muscadet AOC may include 10% Chardonnay

Question 3

Vineyard Management

Answer 3

Marginal climate requires open canopies to reduce humidity and promote ripeness but care must be taken to reduce sunburn.

In hot years sugar levels may get too high before skins and pips are fully ripe.

Question 4

Winemaking

Answer 4

Chaptalization is allowed and practiced in cooler years

Typically fermented and aged in shallow underground glass lined concrete vats. Some stainless also used

Keep wines as neutral as possible prior to aging on lees.

MLF is typically avoided, preserving the high acid of the style

Producers are experimenting with skin contact, barrels, amphora, etc.

For sur lie wines: After fermentation, the wine is racked off the gross lees. The wines are then left in contact with their fine lees through winter until bottling. This retains freshness, adds body, and may result in a small amount of CO2.

Question 5

Appellations Law & Regulation

Answer 5

Two large appellations: Muscadet de Sevre et Main (8,800ha; the Loire’s largest) and Muscadet AOC
Two smaller: Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire and Muscadet cotes de Grandlieu

Max for Muscadet AOC is 65 and others 55

Sur lie can be added to any appellation. Must be bottled between March 1 and Nov 30 the year after the harvest in the winery in which they were made.

This means Negociants can only buy grapes, must, or bottled wine - not wine to be aged sur lie.

Three Muscadet communaux: Clisson, Gorges, Le Pallet; can be added if grapes grown in these areas. 45hl/ha yield and on lies for 18 mo (le Pallet) 24 mo (Clisson and Gorges). But cannot be labeled sur lie as these aging requirements result in bottling after the Nov date. These are rounder, more complex, longer finish.

Question 6

Business

Answer 6

Was a huge success in the 80’s in the UK so over 13,000ha planted. The frost of 1991 saw production drop by 2/3

This pushed up prices when new world wines like Australia were becoming more popular.

Recently trying to position as terroir driven wines of high quality and good value.

Exports are 17% by vol

Negociants are over 50% of sales with Castel, Grand Chais de France and Ackerman accounting for a large portion