.
The Muscadet AOC—known for crisp, dry, white wines based on the Melon (Melon de Bourgogne) grape variety—is located on the western edge of the Pays Nantais. While several appellations bear the name Muscadet, the over-arching Muscadet AOC encompasses the others—Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOC, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC, and Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOC. The Muscadet AOC contains 20,840 acres/8,430 ha of vines—including 3,950 acres/1,600 ha of vines approved just for the general appellation.
Recently, the Cahier de Charges for the Muscadet AOC has been revised (approved by the INAO as of April 28, 2020) and there are a few minor changes to report. Note that these changes apply only to the Muscadet AOC and for the time being, the rules and regulations for the other three Muscadets remain unchanged.
Here are the major updates:
- Chardonnay is now listed as an accessory variety and up to 10% can be included in the blend. (Previously, Muscadet was required to be 100% Melon de Bourgogne with no other varieties allowed).
- The amount of time that the wine is aged on the lees will be limited; the wines must be separated from the lees no later than July 31 of the year following harvest. (“Les vins sont séparés de leurs lies fines de vinification au plus tard le 31 juillet de l’année qui suit celle de la récolte”.) In practice, this limits the potential amount of sur lie aging to about ten months.
- The term “sur lie” will not be allowed to be part of the wine’s name nor identification for products of the Muscadet AOC. It’s interesting to note that the term “sur lie” is conspicuously absent from the entire document, while the rules of the other three Muscadets specifically state that the wine’s name (the AOC) may be supplemented by the mention “sur lie” as long as the wine meets the defined production standards for use of the term.
Map of the Muscadet AOC via the INAO
In the fine print of the new regulations (the section labeled as description des facteurs humains contribuant au lien/contributing human factors), it is explained that the producers of Muscadet AOC are moving away from the practice of sur lie aging in order to differentiate their wines from those of the other three Muscadets (Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine AOC, Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire AOC, and Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu AOC).
It looks like we can expect the Muscadet AOC of the future to be delicate, crisp, and dry with aromas of citrus (lemon, lime), green fruit (green apple, green pear), stone fruit (nectarine), fresh herbs, and white flowers. Sounds delicious!
Note: As with all such updates, this change will need to wind its way through EU approval; but (with the approval of the INAO) the changes can be implemented in the meantime. (Most likely this will apply as of the release of the wines of the 2020 vintage.) If the EU fails to approve the amendment, the regulation will be rescinded (although this seems unlikely to happen).
References/for more information:
- Cahier des Charges Muscadet AOC April 2020
- Notice in the Bulletin Officiel du Ministère de l’agriculture et de l’alimentation (Summary, July 16 to 23, 2020)
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org