Despite its Burgundian name, Melon found its true home along the lower Loire after being expelled from Burgundy in the early 18th century. It flourished in the Pays Nantais, gaining renown as the perfect local answer to the region’s seafood bounty. The tradition of “sur lie” aging—a practice of maturing wine on its yeast lees—emerged here, adding subtle texture and depth to Muscadet made from Melon. Today, Melon remains a Loire Valley specialist and a symbol of Atlantic French terroir.
Melon de Bourgogne
Region: Europe
Melon de Bourgogne, is a white grape that thrives almost exclusively in France’s Loire Valley, especially in the Muscadet appellations near Nantes. Prized for its zippy acidity, saline edge, and pure citrus flavors, Melon is the backbone of Muscadet wines—famed companions to oysters and seafood. Unfussy, bracing, and thirst-quenching, Melon captures the cool Atlantic breezes and maritime soils of western France in every glass.
Tasting Notes
Taste Profile
- Very Dry
- Light Body
- Low Tannins
- High Acidity
- Approximately 11.5%
The History of Melon de Bourgogne
FAQs About Melon de Bourgogne
Melon is the grape variety, while Muscadet refers to the wine and the appellations in the Loire Valley where Melon is grown and bottled.
What food pairs best with Melon wines?
Classic pairings include oysters, clams, mussels, and almost any fresh shellfish or goat cheese.
What does “sur lie” mean, and why is it important?
“Sur lie” means the wine is aged on its lees (spent yeast), which adds texture, complexity, and slight bready notes without masking the grape’s freshness.
Does Melon grow outside the Loire Valley?
Melon is rarely found outside the Loire, though small plantings exist in North America’s Pacific Northwest—most famously, it thrives around Nantes.