Category Archives: Muscadet

2010 Martin & Weyrich Moscato Allegro

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Want to meet the surprise wines of my summer? Yes it might be trying a little too hard to create a niche for itself via their marketing and produce packaging (which I can’t blame them for; needless to say the fact that their online shop routes to “CleverConcepts.com” is fitting). Not overly sweet, surprisingly refreshing and only 7.5% ABV to boot. Available for approximately ~$10 retail this is an interesting wine worthy of your summer consideration…

2010 Martin & Weyrich Moscato AllegroPrice: $10.99 @ Moscato Allegro*

What They Said:

Per Moscato Allergro “Using only the finest Muscat Canelli grapes from our California vineyards, Moscato Allegro is fermented at an extremely cold temperature, creating an elegant wine that dances across the palate with intense fruit, then ends with a crisp, clean finish. Moscato Allegro is fresh and spicy, offering exotic floral and fruit aromas reminiscent of orange blossoms, honeyed apricots and peaches.

Deliciously versatile, Moscato Allegro is lovely on a hot day or a cold night. It is delightfully refreshing on its own, but also makes a wonderful complement to brunch, desserts, spicy dishes and sweet and tangy sauces. Serve as an aperitif, pair with your favorite foods or enjoy all by itself — the possibilities are endless. Salute!”

What I Think:

(7.5%) Honeyed, floral nose with lush fruit. Sweet (without being syrupy or cloying), honeyed peach on the palate. From there a light acidity emerges leading to crisp, focused and surprisingly refreshing finish (I was surely expecting sweet) with the slightest hint of carbonation as it lingers on. Per the winery this one is “fermented at extremely cold temperatures for up to six weeks to retain the natural acidity” which makes a world of difference on this one. My ideal pairing would be with a bowl of ice cream (or pie) topped with fresh fruit. That said I was shocked by this wines versatility as it worked equally well as an aperitif on a warm afternoon. With a low ABV (7.5%) and a screwtop to boot there is a lot to like here; grab a bottle for your next picnic. 40,000 cases made. Geek notes: Total Acid 0.8g/100ml, Residual Sugar 10.35%

Rating: Buy It

*This wine was received as a press sample but I would purchase another bottle with my very own US$ if I see it…

2007 Chateau des Cleons Muscadet Sevre et Maine “Sur Lie”

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Price: $5.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by Plume Ridge Wine Negotiants

What They Said:

Per FrenchWineGift.com, on the ’06, “Château des Cléons is located in the Loire Valley, close to the city of Nantes and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a dry white wine made of 100% Melon de Bourgogne. As its name implies, this is a variety which was imported (expelled might be a better term) from the vineyard of Burgundy. Most Muscadet is sold as Muscadet de Sèvres et Maine. It is produced on the gently hilly banks of the Sèvres and Maine rivers, two tributaries of the Loire. Château des Cléons is a Muscadet sur Lie, meaning that the wine is matured on the lees, and bottled straight from the barrel.

Château des Cléons has a light yellow color with green nuances. It has a subtle and complex nose with citrus aromas. In the mouth it is aromatic and intense with a long finish. Enjoy it with fish, seafood or on its own. It should be drunk young.”

What I Think:

Always willing to give a new varietal a try I grabbed this one off the shelf. Half the fun of these bottles is learning more about the grape. Melon de Bourgogne is so associated with this popular appellation of the western Loire that the grape itself is often known as Muscadet. As mentioned above this grape originated in Burgundy where it was found to be a nuisance and thus ordered destroyed. This led to its reappearance in the Muscadet. Other items of interest include this wine being made by the Lacheteau family. This is of note because I have seen bottlings at Trader Joe’s bearing this name. Also “Sur Lie” means aged on the skins.

Now as for the wine itself, I think we have a winner. A week or so before having this one I had a similar offering from K&L Wines. This one compared very well. To describe it in a nutshell it was light, surprisingly crisp and refreshing. A nice dry, tart beginning gives way to a nice long lemon, citrusy finish. This is a perfect bottle for a summer picnic or barbecue. Another great Trader Joe’s wine find!

Rating: Buy It