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Melon de Bourgogne

aka Melon Blanc

Melon de Bourgogne

Melon de Bourgogne is the emblematic grape of Muscadet, producing dry white wines with remarkable finesse.

Originally from Burgundy, as its name suggests, Melon de Bourgogne has adapted perfectly to the oceanic climate of the Nantes region, where it is now exclusively grown. It is the result of a natural cross between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc.

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Muscadet, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu: Melon de Bourgogne is the sole grape variety behind these flagship appellations of the Nantais vineyards. Here, it produces dry white wines known for their freshness, minerality, and delicate aromas of citrus and white flowers.

The history of Melon de Bourgogne in the Loire Valley is closely tied to the severe frost of 1709. While much of the vineyard was destroyed, this hardy grape survived, leading to its spread in the region. Its resilience proved crucial again during the phylloxera crisis.

Genetic analysis confirms that Melon de Bourgogne is a cross between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc, just like Chardonnay. This lineage explains certain aromatic similarities between these two white grape varieties.

Melon de Bourgogne accounts for about 13% of the vineyard area in the Loire Valley, covering nearly 8,300 hectares. It is the region’s fourth most-planted grape variety, following Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, and Chenin.

Melon de Bourgogne

grape characteristics

The Melon de Bourgogne grape yields Loire wines with a pale yellow color and green highlights in their youth, offering fresh acidity and pronounced minerality. On the nose and palate, it reveals aromas of citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and white fruits (pear, green apple). Some wines also present subtle floral (white flowers) or saline notes (sea breeze, shellfish).

With age, these wines can develop aromas of dried fruits, honey, and toasted bread, adding depth to their aromatic profile. On the palate, they often offer a light and vibrant texture, with a distinctive saline finish, making them prized for their freshness and minerality. Additionally, the versatility of Melon de Bourgogne allows it to produce refined dry wines, especially suited to aging on lees, a technique that imparts complexity and creaminess to the wine.

Color: White

(Pale intensity)

Acidity: High

Alcohol: Medium

Body: Light

Will keep: 2 to 5 years

Aromas :

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Appellations using the grape variety

Melon de Bourgogne

Muscadet, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu… These are some of the iconic appellations brimming with hidden gems! What unites them? The Melon de Bourgogne grape!

In Muscadet, mineral notes blend with citrus, showcasing Melon de Bourgogne at its finest. Muscadet is one of the hallmark AOCs of Loire-Atlantique, producing dry, fresh, and lively white wines, often aged on lees to add complexity.

About 40 kilometers east of Nantes, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine offers a more structured expression of Melon de Bourgogne, with fuller, more complex wines—perfect for white wine enthusiasts seeking character.

Further south, Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu, situated around Grand-Lieu Lake, produces wines with saline and iodized notes, a reflection of oceanic influence. These wines, all made from Melon de Bourgogne, offer a lovely freshness and marked minerality.

Among the communal crus, like Clisson, Gorges, and Le Pallet, Melon de Bourgogne shines in denser, more concentrated wines with excellent aging potential. These crus represent Muscadet’s pinnacle, with exceptional wines for cellaring.

Key figures about

13

of Loire white wines

100

of French vineyard

Stable

Appellations using