Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- Limestone plateaus of Eocene origin at 250–280 m elevation, south-facing, at the foot of the Montagne Noire. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Very stony, whitish, shallow soils derived from 'Ventenac' limestones or alveoline-bearing 'Llerdier' limestones, with high heat-retention capacity.
- Temperate Mediterranean climate: 820 mm of rainfall per year, a mean temperature of 13.5 °C, with stormy precipitation occurring mainly in spring and autumn.
Human factors
- Muscat à petits grains B became established in Saint-Jean-de-Minervois following the phylloxera crisis (late 19th century), initially on small plots wedged between limestone slabs. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- The AOC was granted in 1948, championed by three producers including Edouard JEAN, who had won an award at the Montpellier competition as early as 1896.
Product characteristics
- Pale gold appearance with green highlights; aromas of exotic fruits, citrus, and white-fleshed fruits (pear).
- On the palate: richness (from concentrated musts with ≥125 g/L residual sugar) and fresh acidity blend harmoniously with a persistent finish.
Terroir / wine link
- Poor limestone soils combined with the coolness of altitude (250 m) yield optimal ripeness and a rich terpene aromatic potential, balancing richness and freshness.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.