Fruity hints of flavor make muscadet and cantaloupe an exciting combination.
Muscadet wine is produced in the Muscadet region of France, from which the white wine takes its name. Muscadet is made with a mild-flavored grape called melon de Bourgogne. Because the wine is so light in flavor, it is often allowed to sit for long periods before it's sold, which slightly carbonates it and makes it a sparkling wine. Although it is often confused with muscat, the two wines taste vastly different. Muscadet is light with a hint of tanginess. The wine pairs well with a variety of foods.
Instructions
1. Choose a muscadet wine. There are a few varieties, all of which differ slightly in the way they are made. Muscadet sur Lie is the most common and popular choice. This type of muscadet is allowed to sit for a bit longer, which gives the wine a more robust body and a richer, yeastier flavor.
2. Select a couple of hardy melons, such as honeydews and cantaloupes. Since muscadet is a light wine, and sometimes has citrus or apple hints, it goes well with melons. Because it has a somewhat yeasty flavor, it works better with honeydew or cantaloupe than it would with a melon such as a watermelon.
3. Slice the melons in half then use a melon baller to extract the fruit. Arrange the fruit on a platter as an appetizer or even an after-dinner refreshment. You can also add a mellow cheese to the platter. Make sure the cheese does not overpower either the melons or the wine.
4. Create a main course of seafood. Muscadet works well with oysters, especially if they are raw. It also pairs well with crab, shrimp and lobster. Choose your favorite method to cook the seafood. You could grill, saut or bake it. Muscadet also pairs well with fish stews, such as bouillabaisse.
5. Add a garden salad with a zesty dressing, such as a vinaigrette, to your seafood dinner. Hearty salads pair nicely with the muscadet.
6. Explore the different flavor combinations created when you pair muscadet with sushi. Choose a selection of your favorite sushi rolls or sashimi and arrange them on a platter.
7. Chill the muscadet to a temperature of about 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour a glass or two and enjoy the wine with the main course of seafood or sushi and the refreshing melons.
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