Nantais

Vineyards in this area are planted with white grapes and surround the city of Nantes, all located within 50km from the Loire river. The region was originally planted by the Dutch who were looking for high yielding neutral grapes to be used to make grape spirit for the booming gin market of the 17th and 18th century. The maritime climate is influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Soil is diverse with granite and alluvial being most dominant which produces very dry and acidic white wines made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. The best Muscadet wines are produced ‘sur lie’ from grapes grown in the central Muscadet de Sevre et Maine region known for its granite soils. The sur lie method adds a buttery and savoury taste to the wines by leaving them on the lees; ‘Sur lie’ in French literally means ‘on the lees’. After the alcoholic fermentation, the wines remain in the fermentation vats or barrels through the winter so they remain in contact with the lees until they are ready to be bottled, this must not be before March 1st of the following year after harvest to be labelled ‘sur lie’.