Loire Valley (wine) Melon de Bourgogne grape to use in the production of their "brandewijn"—distilled wine with brandy added to it. Following the devastation in 1709 of winter frost to many of the vineyards in the Loire-Atlantique, King Louis XIV ordered that the frost resistant Melon de Bourgogne grape be given preferential treatment in the replanting of the area. Despite the inference of "Muskiness" in its name, Muscadet is a neutral flavor wine and the Melon de Bourgogne grape has no relation to the Muscat family of grapes. The area's four appellation all produces white wine made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape.
Chaumont-sur-Loire Chaumont-sur-Loire Chaumont-sur-Loire is a commune in the Loir-et-Cher department in central France known for its historical defensive walls and its castle. The Chateau was founded by Odo 1 (973-996), Count of Blois. At each epoch of French history the Chateau has been owned, rented or visited by significant persons in French and European history. In the period between the late enlightenment and the romantic period, Germaine de Stael was resident from April to August 1810. Many famous guests visited the lively and politically active Madame de Stael including Madame Recamier, Adelbert Von Chamisso, the counts of Sabran Sala berry as