Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyard lies at an altitude of between 250 and 280 metres, south-facing, on Eocene limestone plateaux at the foot of the southern slope of the Montagne Noire.
• The most characteristic soils derive from the weathering of 'Ventenac' limestones or marine alveoline-bearing limestones of 'Llerdier', very stony, whitish, low in organic matter and shallow, with a high heat-retaining capacity.
• The temperate Mediterranean climate has a mean annual rainfall of 820 millimetres and a mean annual temperature of 13.5°C, with peak storm-driven precipitation in spring and autumn.
• The geographical zone is exposed to the easterly sea wind and to the Tramontane from the west, the latter clearing the sky and promoting around 2,500 hours of sunshine per year.
• The proximity of the Mediterranean, some 50 kilometres away, combined with the relative altitude, creates a climate that moderates summer solar intensity while maintaining the cool nights favourable to the sugar–acid balance of Muscat à petits grains.

• The planting of the Muscat à petits grains variety in the commune of Saint-Jean-de-Minervois began after the phylloxera crisis of the late nineteenth century, initially in small plots without defined row alignment, set between limestone slabs and dry-stone walls.
• Under the impetus of the winegrower Édouard Jean, Muscat wines received their first award as early as 1896 at the Montpellier competition, before the appellation d'origine contrôlée was granted in 1948.

• The wines generally show a pale gold appearance with green highlights, with aromas often evoking exotic fruits, citrus, and white-fleshed fruits such as pear.
• On the palate, the power conferred by the richness of the must blends with the freshness carried by natural acidity, in a harmonious and lingering balance.

• The combination of the cool, temperate climate linked to altitude and the poor soils, which regulate daytime heat through the gentle radiance of the stone, allows optimal grape ripeness, promoting a high sugar content and a rich terpenic aromatic potential.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF)
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — CIVL