6. Rutherglen Muscat Flashcards
In what decade were vines first planted in Rutherglen?
1850s.
How much land under vine in Rutherglen is planted to Muscat?
70ha.
In the mid-to-late 19th century, Rutherglen dominated Australia wine production with much of it exported to England. What caused South Australia to supersede Rutherglen in production volume?
Phylloxera decimated parts of Victoria including Rutherglen at the end of the 19th century.
What is the house style of Pfeiffer Wines considered to be compared to All Saints and Morris
Lighter, fresher compared with more intense and luscious.
In what Zone is Rutherglen GI situated?
North East Victoria.
What is Rutherglen’s climate?
Continental with warm days moderated by cool air from the Victorian Alps at night.
Grapes are often left on the vine until they become what?
Extra-ripe with potential alcohol levels of 20%.
During which months is harvest typical?
March-May.
Why might producers pick different vineyard blocks at different times?
To gain a combination of earlier harvested fruit with fresh Muscat aromas, and extra-ripe, shrivelled grapes with more sugar and dried fruit characters.
What is the main autumnal disease pressure?
Botrytis, which obscures the grapey aromas of Muscat.
What grape variety is Rutherglen Muscat made from?
Muscat a Petits Grains Rouge aka Rutherglen Brown Muscat.
What is a typical training system system for Rutherglen Muscat?
Double cordons with a sprawling canopy.
Other than the main autumnal disease pressure, what other weather-related vineyard concern is important to consider and manage against?
Shading to prevent sunburn.
It can be hard to extract the dense, high-sugar juice from the partly shriveled Muscat grapes via a normal pressing so what three additional steps are taken?
1) Fermented briefly on skins to break down pulp and release sugar and flavours.
2) Enzyme additions.
3) Cap management techniques.
At what per cent of alcohol is the juice drained from the skins?
1-2%.
Once the juice is drained from the skins, what further steps occur to a) the skins, and b) the juice?
1) The skins are pressed.
2) The combined juice is fortified to 17.5%.
What per cent of alcohol is typical of the fortifying spirit and why?
1) 96%.
2) Neutral and little required.
After fortification, what winemaking steps take place?
1) Clarification by racking or light filtration.
2) pH adjustments or light fining for protein stability.
How is Rutherglen Muscat typically matured? (Think barrel format and winery conditions.)
In very old, large oak in warm conditions.
What format barrels are used for Rutherglen Muscat maturation?
1) Large round or oval casks 1,300 to 9,000 L.
2) Smaller barrels 180 to 500 L.
What effect does maturation in 180 to 500 L barrels have on the wine?
Promotes greater concentration through evaporation, greater oxidation, and quicker maturation.
If a Muscat barrel is matured towards the ceiling of the winery, what will likely happen to the wine?
Mature quicker at warmer temperatures.
What change occurs in the wine’s colour during barrel maturation?
Colour changes from pale pink to ruby or garnet or deep brown.
What are the four classifications of Rutherglen Muscat?
1) Rutherglen Muscat.
2) Classic Rutherglen Muscat.
3) Grand Rutherglen Muscat.
4) Rare Rutherglen Muscat.
What is the required age range of a Rutherglen Muscat?
An average of 3-5 years.
What is the residual sugar range for Rutherglen Muscat?
180-240 g/L.
Compared with generic Rutherglen Muscat, Classic Rutherglen Muscat shows what?
Greater concentration and complexity and tertiary characters.
What is the required age range of a Classic Muscat?
6-10 years
What is the residual sugar range for Classic Muscat?
200-280 g/L
How does Grand Rutherglen Muscat compare with Classic Muscat in flavour terms?
Even greater concentration and complexity from blending young and mature wines.
What is the required age range of a Grand Rutherglen Muscat?
11-19 years average age.
What is the residual sugar range for Grand Rutherglen Muscat?
270-400 g/L.
What is Rare Rutherglen Muscat (in classification terms)?
The pinnacle of Rutherglen Muscat.
What is the required age range of a Rare Rutherglen Muscat?
Average age 20 years but often much older.
What is the residual sugar range for Rare Rutherglen Muscat?
270-400 g/L.
In what year was the Muscat of Rutherglen Network founded?
1995.
Australia’s fortified wine industry accounts for what per cent of Australian wine sold globally?
2%.
Which market is the top for exports of Australian wine?
The UK.
Describe a generic Rutherglen Muscat according to the SAT + price category (10 steps).
1) Medium amber or tawny.
2) Pronounced aromas.
3) Raisins, figs, dates and sweet spices.
4) Sweet.
5) Full-bodied.
6) Medium (+) acidity.
7) Medium alcohol.
8) Pronounced intensity of flavour.
9) Very good quality.
10) Mid-priced.
How is Classic Rutherglen Muscat different in character to standard? (Describe the profile, not the classification requirements.)
Deeper colour
More concentration
Greater complexity
Quality between basic RG and Grand and Rare.
How would a Grand or Rare Rutherglen Muscat be described (compared with basic and Classic)?
Deep brown.
Nutty, treacle, liquorice.
Sweeter and fuller-bodied than young RG.
Luscious.
Higher acidity.
Outstanding and super-premium.
What is a typical trellising system system for Rutherglen Muscat?
Vertical shoot positioning.
Fungal pectinases are often added as an enzyme adjustment during extraction. Why?
To break up the pectins in the grape skins, which decreases the juice viscosity thus aiding extraction at pressing.
Why do the pectins in grape skins require fungal pectinase additions to break them down?
The pectins are not active under winemaking conditions due to pH, SO2 and alcohol levels.
What is the most common soil type in Rutherglen?
Red loam and clay.
What two other types of soil are found in Rutherglen?
1) Sandy soils (north).
2) Shale & quartz (south)
Muscat a Petit Grains Rouge is a mutation of which variety?
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains.
Producers who reduce ullage by topping up do so to craft what style of wine?
A fresher, less oxidative style.
What are three ways a winemaker might create a fresher, fruitier style of Muscat?
1) Blending with less-ripe grapes.
2) Blending wines stored in cooler conditions.
3) Blending wines matured for a shorter period.
Rutherglen’s old vines are said to produce more concentrated wines displaying high levels of Muscat’s notable grape and floral notes. Why?
Due to its higher skin to juice ratio.
