From: Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Loire Valley, France
Varietal: Melon de Bourgogne
Taste: On the nose, the Domaine Salmon Muscadet Sur Lie Vieilles Vignes 2018 presents intense citrus aromas of lemon zest, lime, and grapefruit, accompanied by subtle hints of green apple and pear. The wine's bouquet is further enriched by delicate floral notes, reminiscent of white blossoms, and a touch of wet stone, reflecting the wine's minerality. The palate is bright and lively, with a crisp acidity that perfectly balances the wine's fruit-forward profile. Citrus flavors continue to dominate, accompanied by nuances of green apple, pear, and a slight salinity that adds complexity. The wine's minerality shines through, providing an elegant backbone that leads to a long, refreshing finish.
Pairing: The crisp acidity and citrus flavors of the Domaine Salmon Muscadet Sur Lie Vieilles Vignes 2018 make it a versatile wine that pairs well with a wide range of dishes. Seafood, such as oysters, clams, mussels (check out the recipe below), shrimp, and grilled fish, will complement the wine's bright acidity and enhance its flavors. Lighter poultry dishes, like roast chicken or turkey, are also a great match.
The Domaine Salmon Muscadet Sur Lie Vieilles Vignes 2018 is an excellent companion for vegetarian dishes as well. Try pairing it with a refreshing salad of mixed greens, cucumber, and fennel, dressed with a citrus vinaigrette. The wine's acidity and citrus notes will enhance the freshness of the salad. Another option is a creamy risotto with spring vegetables like asparagus, peas, and lemon zest, where the wine's crisp acidity will contrast beautifully with the dish's creaminess.
Creamy Mussel Stew With Peas, Fennel and Lemon
By Melissa Clark
About. The region & varietal. Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine is the best known of the Muscadet appellations of the Loire Valley's Pays Nantais district, on the central western coast of France. The title covers exclusively white wines from vineyards southeast and east of the city of Nantes, around the Sèvre Nantaise river and its tributary, La Maine, at the western end of the Loire region.
Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine is made solely from Melon de Bourgogne, a grape variety brought to the western Loire from Burgundy, as the name suggests. The similarity between the name Muscadet and that of the Muscat variety is sometimes the cause of confusion. But a single taste of a crisp, dry Muscadet wine will confirm that it is definitely not made from Muscat, a notoriously aromatic (and often sweet) variety.
The Sèvre-et-Maine area of which the appellation is named after lies just southeast of Nantes.
About 80 percent of all Muscadet wine is made within the appellation as the topography here is ideally suited to the viticulture of Melon de Bourgogne. Alluvial soil types have led to an abundance of potassium, magnesium and calcium deposits, providing the vines with the minerals they require for optimal growth.
In the wet, maritime climate of the western Loire Valley, soil drainage is crucial. This is provided by the chalky limestone soils and gravels of the area. Clay deposits are also found alongside the river banks, creating variability in drainage speed, so site selection is important.
The best Sèvre-et-Maine has a underlying minerality, often thought to be a reflection of the chalky limestone soils found within the area.
Melon de Bourgogne is not a particularly flavorful grape variety, so without caution in the vineyard and attentive winemaking, Muscadet wines can risk being rather bland and featureless. This is particularly true in hotter vintages, when the intense heat robs the grapes of potential complexity and their characteristic acidity.
On the flipside of that coin, the Loire has one of the wettest, coldest growing seasons in France, so the growers' goal is more often full ripeness than acid retention.
To glean as much flavor and character from the grape must as possible, many Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine wines are left sur lie ("on the lees") for a period of several weeks or even months following fermentation. This extended contact with the lees imparts a richer, creamier mouthfeel to the wines and contributes to the general flavor profile.
This wine. The Domaine Salmon Muscadet Sur Lie Vieilles Vignes 2018 offers a refreshing, mineral-laden experience that wine lovers have come to appreciate in the Muscadet region. This exceptional wine is a testament to the expertise and innovation of Dominique Salmon and his son Mickael, who continue to build on a legacy that began over a century ago.