45 - Fortified Muscats

Question 1

Muscats are made in two distinct styles?

Answer 1

Youthful and un-aged or fully developed after an extended period of ageing.

Question 2

Describe the profile of Youthful, un-aged Muscats?

Answer 2

Wines are medium gold in colour, floral and aromatic. Typically sweet but never luscious.

Question 3

Name the most notable youthful, un-aged Muscat?

Answer 3

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, which comes from the Southern Rhone.

Question 4

Hows is youthfull, un-aged Muscat made?

Answer 4

Grapes are picked when ripe. Once crushed the juice maybe separated from the skins, although some skin contact is done to add intensity and richness to the palate. Fermentation is cool and is stopped by fortification with 96% abv. Wine is stored in inert vessels prior to bottling and protected from any contact with oxygen.

Question 5

Describe the common profile of fully developed, aged Muscats?

Answer 5

Range in colour from amber to brown. The can be sweet or luscious.

Question 6

Name a notable area for fully developed, aged Muscats in Australia?

Answer 6

Rutherglen. The style of these wines be determined by the timing of the harvest, when the wines are fortified and the length/type of ageing they undergo.

Question 7

How is fully developed, aged Muscat made?

Answer 7

Grapes are picked when ripe and healthy. I order to get them luscious style some raisining will need to be donw. Fermentation takes place on the skins. If a lscious style is being made, the fortification may take place when fermentation has only reached 2% abv. These wines will undergo a period of oxidative ageing that can last decades. Old wood is essential for this process and large oak vessels are widely used.