Developments in Muscadet
In an attempt to stop overproduction from contributing to the fall in the price of grapes in Muscadet, growers in the Nantes region are being given $6,300 per hectare to uproot up to 15,000 ha (20% of the vineyards).

Muscadet sur lie
In addition to the geographical distinctions, Muscadet can be "sur lie", which is to say matured on the lees, which adds significant flavor. Muscadet sur lie originated in the eighteenth century habit of putting aside the best barrel to be matured separately and bottled later for special occasions. The regulations for Muscadet sur lie have recently been strengthened. Bottling may be either before July 1 after the harvest or (the recent extension) between October 15 to November 30 following, this allows longer for the wine to gain character from the lees. Only 20% is bottled at the later date. The regulations now state that bottling must be from fine lees, not gross lees, which means that there is an initial racking after fermentation to remove the gross lees. And now (since 1997) the wine can be bottled only in the cellar in which it was made. (It used to be the case that the wine could be racked, transported to a negociant, and then bottled. In this case, it was not of course really bottled on the lees. In fact, in such cases, a trace of carbon dioxide was be added to mimic this effect of genuine bottling on the lees). Muscadet is unusual in having a limit on the alcohol level of 12. 3%, with the intention of keeping the wine lighter.

Nantais and Muscadet overview
The Nantais of the Loire is largely devoted to production of AOC Muscadet from the grape of the same name (also known as Melon de Bourgogne) and the VDQS wine (Gros Plant du Pays Nantais) made from Gros Plant (the local name for Folle Blanche, the same as Trebbiano). In addition to AOC and VDQS wines, the region is part of the Vin de Pays du Jardin de France, which allows other varietals, such as Chardonnay to be used.

The Muscadet grape (more formally the Melon de Bourgogne) is the principal varietal of the Western Loire. Originally planted in Burgundy, it was imported to the Loire after the disastrous frost of 1709, principally because of its ability to resist early cold weather. It is a cool climate grape, which ripens early. The high acidity associated with it is not so much intrinsic to the grape, but results from early picking (done in order to retain freshness); this is also responsible for the low sugar level in the grapes, leading to low alcohol level in the wine. Because the grapes are at low levels of ripeness, they are high in malic acid, and the wine tends to have citrus overtones. Muscadet has neutral aroma and flavor, is hardy and frost resistant, but susceptible to fungal diseases.