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Are all Muscadet Sur Lie?
Many Muscadet wines are produced Sur Lie, a French term that means “on the lees.” This is a maturation technique whereby the wine is kept in contact with its lees—dead yeast cells—after the process of alcoholic fermentation takes place. Extended contact with the lees can add texture and yeasty biscuit flavors.
What is Muscadet Sur Lie?
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie refers to a dry white wine from France’s Loire Valley, produced from the Melon de Bourgogne, grape, sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Muscadet grape.
Why is Muscadet called Muscadet?
While most appellation d’origine contrôlée wines are named after their growing region, or in Alsace after their variety, the name Muscadet refers to an alleged characteristic of the wine produced by the melon grape variety: vin qui a un goût musqué (wine with a musk-like taste).
Why is it called Muscadet?
What does aged on its lees mean?
If wine ages in contact with its fine lees for a considerable time, it develops pronounced round, full, creamy flavors that may present as nutty or yeasty, like warm brioche, in the finished wine. The French call this process sur lie, which translates to “on the lees.”
Is Muscadet the same as Moscato?
Now, what’s in your glass? The answer is Muscadet. Not to be confused with Moscato, the sweet Italian wine, Muscadet—pronounced [MUS-KAH-DAY]—is a completely dry, bright, incredibly well priced wine from France’s Loire Valley.
Is Muscat the same as Muscadet?
First thing everyone must know about Muscadet, it’s NOT Muscat! So, don’t go curling up your lips and saying, “I don’t like sweet wine.” Doesn’t apply here, no relation whatsoever. In fact, the wines from Muscadet are for those who like their white wines bone dry, unoaked and with bracing acidity.
What does Muscadet wine taste like?
When tasting Muscadet, you can expect to taste notes of lemon, lime, tart apples, and an almost sea-like saline quality. The wine is extremely light and has barely any body at all. Conversely, it has an extremely high acidity and a total lack of sweetness. As the result, the wine is extremely crisp and refreshing.
What does lees smell like?
Sparkling Wines: Traditional method sparkling wines that are aged for extended periods on the lees will have increased flavors of toast, bread-like aroma, cheese or buttermilk-like aroma, and floral elderflower-like aromas and sometimes sweet, nutty aromas.