6.1: Rutherglen Muscat - The Growing Environment and Grape Growing Flashcards
Where is Rutherglen located?
situated inland in the north east of Victoria
How many hectares of vines are planted?
411 ha.
What is the climate?
- continental climate
- warm days
- moderated by cool air flowing down from the Victorian Alps during the night
What does the climate mean for sugar accumulation in the grapes?
- warm days in the growing season
- long, dry autumns
- mean that large amounts of sugar can accumulate in the grapes, required for these syrupy, very sweet styles of wine
For how long are grapes often left on the vine?
until they become extra ripe and start to shrivel
When the grapes are left on the vine, what develops?
- increases the sugar concentration
- leads to the development of some dried fruit characteristics e.g. raisin
How high can the potential alcohol levels of the grapes get?
not unusual for grapes to reach potential alcohol levels of 20% abv
How will the producer decide when to harvest?
according to the weather and the degree of ripeness they desire
When does harvest usually occur?
between mid-March and May
How does harvest usually happen?
- many 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
- weather at harvest-time can influence which of these alternatives will predominate
What can occasionally become a climate problem?
- rain in autumn
- increasing the risk of fungal diseases
What is not desired in Rutherglen Muscat wines?
orange marmalade aromas that botrytis can give
What grape is used? What is another name for this?
- Muscat à Petits Grains Rouges
- known locally as Rutherglen Brown Muscat
What is Muscat à Petits Grains Rouges?
- red-skinned mutation of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
- displays pronounced grapey and floral aromas
How might the vines be trained?
- double cordons
- canopy sprawls over a single foliage wire held by more wires into a VSP system