Muscadet is the name of the wine produced by the Melon de Bourgogne grape. This is the main dominant grape variety of the area around Nantes on the coast of Brittany where the Loire meets the Atlantic ocean. This grape variety originated in  Burgundy (Bourgogne being the French word for Burgundy) but it was removed from the vineyards there in the 16th century. It’s ability to withstand frost made it attractive to wine-makers and it dominated the region following one of the worst winters on record in 1709 when even the coastal waters froze. The wine can be designated ‘Sur Lie’ when it has been left on its lees for the winter between fermentation in autumn and bottling in spring. This allows the wine to develop a fuller flavour and a fresher style.