Melon de Bourgogne a.k.a. Muscadet
Pronunciation: May-LOHN duh Bor-gohn-yuh a.k.a. Moos-kah-dayWhere it's Grown:The Nantais region of the Loire Valley in France is the home of this somewhat mis-named grape. Even though the name harkens to Burgundy the grape is not at all Burgundian. This region of France is in the last section of the 625 mile long Loire River near where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. This wonderful estuary is home to a major fishing industry as well as significant numbers of dairy farms. These associated industries play well into this style of wine grape.
Melon is not a power packed grape and so the production method has been the key to adding flavor. What has become a tradition is the aging of the wine for an extended period on the spent yeast cells, the "lies". Lies (pronounced - lees) add richness and body to the wine while protecting it from oxidation. The result is white wine that is tremendously bright, crisp and fresh, which also possesses a toasty yeasty quality.
What to expect: The best way to enjoy one of these wines is to start with a warm summer day that requires refreshment. Once you have that, play the game as those in Nantais would by creating a dish with shellfish, butter and white wine. Add the accent of garlic and wash it all down with a bright blast of Muscadet. Just like it should be...
Melon should be driven by lemon juice and lemon peel. It will then be accented by green apple in the skin and a definite note of toasted bread or rising dough. Refreshing and straightforward...
