Tasting Notes: Pale with bright yellow tints. Notes of citrus and other orchard fruits, with a distinct mineral note, good palate length, and a stone fruit facet. Ideal with shrimp, oysters, langoustines and “fruits de mer” platters, the Poiron family's excellent Muscadet is also a refreshing aperitif.

If anyone has a Muscadet pedigree, it’s the Poiron family! They began growing and producing wine in the early 1800’s, and the family estate lies at Muscadet’s heart, where moderate Atlantic breezes create ideal conditions for growing the Melon de Bourgogne grape.

Winemaking at Quatres Routes is done in the traditional style with all organic viticulture. The Poirons follow the principles of Terra Vitis, using exclusively natural materials, avoiding all chemical pesticides and herbicides, and farming with techniques that respect nature. Grapes are hand-harvested through successive tries to ensure the highest grape quality. Fermentation takes place in neutral French oak and this wine was stored 6 months on lees.

Hugh Johnson refers to Muscadet as “Neptune’s Vineyard,” because the wines are splendid accompaniments to oysters, shrimp and other “fruits de mer." And besides being a lively aperitif, Muscadet also complements BBQ pulled pork and fried chicken (the wine cuts through fat on the palate, similar to Champagne). As always, the taste of the salt spray sings in this wine.