Democracy Dies in Darkness
Wine

This $15 white wine is bright, crisp and pairs well with shellfish

Plus, a sauvignon blanc linked to Sarah Jessica Parker and a gorgeous French grenache to sip this week.

Perspective by
Columnist, Food
May 23, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. EDT
FROM LEFT: Don’t Be Shellfish! Muscadet 2022; Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc 2022; Mas Amiel Natural Grenache 2021. (Scott Suchman/for The Washington Post)
2 min

A playfully labeled muscadet, a textbook New Zealand sauvignon blanc with a Hollywood connection, and a gorgeous grenache from southwestern France highlight this week’s recommendations. A great lineup for warm weather meals from oysters on the half shell to steaks off the grill.

GREAT VALUE

Don’t Be Shellfish! Muscadet 2022

(2 stars)

Loire Valley, France, $15

The untraditional marketing buries the muscadet appellation on the back label, preferring to tout this wine as “perfect … for oysters and seafood.” Muscadet is made with the melon de Bourgogne grape (which has nothing to do with melons or Burgundy), and is known for its affinity to oysters. This charming example rounds out muscadet’s sharp acidity with soft fruit. They might want to add “perfect for patios” to the label. Alcohol by volume: 12 percent. Bottle weight: 410 grams (Light).