This is the white grape variety that is behind the wines of the Muscadets appellation. However, as its name indicates, it originated in Burgundy, far from the Loire Valley.

History and relationship of Melon de Bourgogne

Resulting from a cross between the white gouais, a grape variety now extinct, and the famous pinot noir, the Melon de Bourgogne has had an eventful history.

Melon de Bourgogne is a grape variety that has had a long and eventful history. It would be born in Burgundy in the 16th century following a crossing between the white gouais, a variety now disappeared, and the famous pinot noir.

Since then, it has totally disappeared from its region of origin, to the benefit of other grape varieties better suited to the local climate.

Fortunately for him, this variety was quickly exported to the west, in the Loire Valley. It is its strong capacity to resist to cold and frost that convinced the winegrowers of the Nantes and Anjou regions to plant it in the first place. The vineyard was, at the time, largely dominated by red grape varieties.

The domination of the Melon de Bourgogne in this vineyard thus really began in the winter of 1709. This year the winter was particularly cold and it ravaged the vineyard. Melon vines are the ones that resisted the best and were therefore planted en masse in the whole region. An evil for a good!

Today, it is grown on more than 11,000 hectares of the French vineyard, and occupies the largest single-variety vineyard in Europe: the Muscadets-Sèvre-et-Maine.

It is also known as white Burgundy, muscadet, green Burgundy, white Burgundy, white melon, petouin, white malin...

Characteristics of the Melon de Bourgogne

Its bunches are small and rounded, with tightly packed berries. It is a grape variety that can easily give high yields, and that must therefore be well managed. It particularly likes clayey and stony soils, preferably cool; this is why the oceanic and cool climate of the Loire Valley suits it so well.

It is sensitive to diseases such as mildew and grey rot, due to the compact nature of its bunches. On the other hand, it does not fear oidium and eutypiosis. It is not a very difficult variety to cultivate.

Winemakers have gradually perfected their cultivation and vinification methods. Particularly at the end of the 1990's, and after a crisis of overproduction, a few winegrowers knew how to innovate and push the limits of the Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine appellation.

They selected the best terroirs of the AOC, old vines, and extended the limits of the maturation on lees to twenty-four months.

This is how the communal crus of the Muscadet-Sèvre-et-Maine appellation were born on lees. This method of vinification gives roundness, suppleness and extra freshness to the wine; it also protects the wine from oxidation.

The taste of Melon de Bourgogne

Melon makes dry, balanced and light white wines. Nothing very extravagant, its aromas discrete and subtle.

In their youth, its wines are full of freshness and with a pearly, slightly saline side. It expresses itself on floral and fruity aromas, sometimes more honeyed. Melon de Bourgogne offers a wide range of flavors and combinations.

Generally, wines made from Melon are appreciated when they are young, two or three years after bottling. This variety is not particularly known for its long ageing potential.

However, in exceptional vintages, some Muscadet sur lie can be kept for several years and sometimes even decades.

Food and wine pairing

The unfailing freshness of this wine makes it the ideal companion for seafood and especially oysters. The local pairing par excellence!

As for the main course, you can choose any fish, raw or cooked.

Finally, cheeses or fresh goat cheese will also go perfectly with wines from Melon de Bourgogne.