45 - Fortified Muscats

Question 1

Characteristics of muscat

Answer 1

perfumed, low to medium acid. orange blossom, rose, grape.

thrive in warm and hot, but the best ivneyards benefit from cooling influences that help preserve acidity and aromas

Question 2

What are the characteristics of youthful, unaged muscats? Where are these made

Answer 2

medium gold, floral, aromatic
varietally pure
sweet but not luscious
Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise from Southern Rhone is an example.

grapes picked when ripe and healthy. NOT raisined bc this adds dried fruit characteristics that mask pure varietal.

skin contact used increase aromatic intensity and add richness
Fortified with 96% abv grape spirit to give sweet wine.

Question 3

What are characteristics of fully devleoped, aged muscats?

Answer 3

amber to brown,
sweet or luscious
Rutherglen in Australia known ofr this style

grapes can be picked when ripe and healthy to make sweet aged wine. Or can allow some raisining to produce more luscious style.
Fermentation takes place on skins.
Oxidative ageing can last decades. in old wood and large oak vessels
small amount of youthful wine sometimes blended in to give an aromatic lift.