Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu — terroir, soils & grape varieties

The Muscadet of the Lake

Southwest of Nantes, this appellation surrounds Lake Grand-Lieu, one of the largest lowland lakes in France, from which it takes its name. It is the most recent and one of the smallest of the Muscadet communal appellations, covering about 230 hectares. The body of water creates a microclimate that moderates temperatures.

Terroir and Style

The soils combine gneiss, granite, micaschist and amphibolite from the Armorican Massif, with some sandy patches. As throughout the Nantais, melon de Bourgogne here is often aged sur lie. The result is a dry white wine that is more supple and rounder than its neighbours, with fruity notes, to be drunk young with seafood.

The grape varieties of Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu