Muscadet de Sevre-et-Maine

Muscadet is an important Loire appellation, accounting for approximately  20% of the region's total plantings, almost exclusively of Melon de Bourgogne; a grape imported into the Pay Nantais/Atlantic coastal region during the 17th century by Dutch merchants as distilling material for their schnaps.

Qualitatively and quantitatively the key AOC is Sèvre et Maine, occupying the granitic soils between these two tributaries, and producing, in the right hands, tangy, sea-breezy light dry white wines with a distinct Atlantic zing (and a maximum abv of 12%). Melon is also grown elsewhere on schistous and clay soils, imparting a richer if less distinctive character.  Those labelled `Sur Lie' have been left on their lees for up to 6 months over winter to give the wines extra body and complexity.

Ch du Cleray and Dme de la Jousselinière are both good sources.