Muscat is one of the great treasures of the wine world and the young wines have a terrific vibrancy and aromatic lift. Predominantly from 3 to 5 year old stock, it has a healthy slug of 15 to 20 year old material for extra depth. Packed with lush raisined fruit flavours and intense aromas of rose petal and candied peel it is lovely with a variety of deserts and can even be served chilled.
Viticultural Notes
Made from Muscat a Petits Grains, one of the oldest families of grape varieties. Various members of this family are grown across southern Europe and further beyond, often for the production of lush desert wines.
Winemaking Notes
The fruit is allowed to become very ripe on the vine before harvest. It is picked and crushed, then macerated for 1 to 3 days. The must is pressed and the juice is fortified with spirit to 18%. The new wine is then run to barrel where it matures, sometimes for many years. The Rutherglen Muscat is a blend of wines of a variety of ages. The younger material provides freshness and aromatic lift, whereas the older parts of the blend give wonderful depth and complexity.
Food Matches
This younger style of muscat is far more food-friendly than the much older wines. Its freshness and lift make it a great match for all sorts of deserts. It can even be served chilled or (somewhat sacriligeous I know) drizzled over icecream!
