2024 Rendez-Vous Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie by K&L Wine Merchants

Our newest addition to our Rendez-Vous program is an absolute delight of a Muscadet. As with all Muscadet, this is made from 100% Melon, which, for those not that familiar with the grape, has a more apple-forward character and is often marked by notes of salinity and oyster shell minerality. There is an unmistakable maritime quality to the wines from this part of the Loire, where the river makes its final push toward the Atlantic. Think of Muscadet falling somewhere towards Chardonnay—though more along the lines of Chablis in style, as no oak is used here—with a slightly nervier acid structure. There is also a wonderful texture to good Muscadet that keeps it from feeling lean or overly austere. The 2024 expands even further on that traditional profile, adding touches of pineapple and dried papaya that give the wine an exotic quality without sacrificing its freshness. This is exactly the kind of white I love to have on hand at any given time. It makes for a great aperitif to kick off an evening. And of course, Muscadet and shellfish is one of the great classic pairings—oysters, mussels, clams or a big platter of simply prepared seafood would be mighty fine here. Highly drinkable, incredibly versatile and another terrific value for the Rendez-Vous program.