C45 - Fortified Muscats Flashcards

1
Q

What flavour features are common to all of the major Muscat varieties?

A

They all have low to medium acidity and display perfumed aromas of orange blossom, rose and grape

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2
Q

Describe the best environment for growing Muscats

A

Warm/hot climates but typically with some cooling influences

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3
Q

What does a cooling influence do to benefit Muscat grapes?

A

Help to preserve the grapes’ acidity levels and aromas

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4
Q

What are the two broad styles into which Muscats are made?

A

Youthful and unaged

Fully developed after an extended period of ageing

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5
Q

Describe the profile of youthful, unaged, fortified Muscats

A

Typically sweet, but rarely luscious
Medium gold in colour
Floral and aromatic

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6
Q

What is the aim of a winemaker for youthful, unaged Muscat?

A

To make sure that varietal character is as pure as possible

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7
Q

Give a notable example of a youthful, unaged fortified Muscat

A

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise (Southern Rhône)

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8
Q

At what point will grapes be picked for youthful, unaged fortified Muscats?

A

When they are ripe and healthy (rather than raising them, as this will mask the pure varietal characteristics)

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9
Q

How is aromatic intensity and richness added to youthful fortified Muscats when the grapes reach the winery?

A

Some skin contact is widely used

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10
Q

How can the effect of skin contact be further enhanced when vinifying youthful Muscat?

A

By extending skin contact into/throughout fermentation

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11
Q

Describe fermentation of fortified, youthful Muscat styles

A

Fermentation is cool and stopped by fortification

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12
Q

What is used to fortify fermenting Muscat and stop fermentation?

A

96% abv grape spirit

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13
Q

How are primary fruit flavours preserved in fortified, youthful Muscats before bottling?

A

The wines are stored in inert vessels prior to bottling and protected from any contact with oxygen

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14
Q

Describe the range of key attributes in fully developed, aged Muscats

A

They range in colour from amber to brown and can be sweet or luscious

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15
Q

Where are aged Muscats made?

A

In many countries

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16
Q

Where do some of the most celebrated examples of luscious Muscats come from?

A

Rutherglen, Australia

17
Q

What will determine the style of Rutherglen Muscats?

A

Timing of the harvest
When the wines are fortified
Length and type of ageing the wines undergo

18
Q

Describe harvest of grapes for aged fortified Muscats

A

They will be picked when ripe and healthy

19
Q

Describe harvest for luscious styles of Muscat

A

The producer may want some raisining to occur before harvest

20
Q

What is the risk of excessive raisining when harvesting Muscats for a luscious style?

A

Grapes can lose too much of their varietal aromas and resulting wines can lack an expressive Muscat character

21
Q

Describe fermentation for aged, fortified Muscats

A

Fermentation will nearly always take place on the skins

For luscious styles, fortification may take place when fermentation has reached only 2% abv

22
Q

What will happen once grapes have been fortified for aged/luscious Muscats?

A

They will undergo a period of oxidative ageing that can last for decades

23
Q

Describe key elements of the ageing process for maturation of Muscats

A

Old wood
Large oak vessels
Occasionally aged in warm conditions

24
Q

Describe fortified Muscats as they age

A

They become amber and finally brown
Develop pronounced oxidative aromas
Even when very old, they can still retain their Muscat aromas

25
Q

What practice is common with Muscats at the end of ageing and just before bottling?

A

They are given an aromatic lift by blending in a small amount of more youthful wine prior to bottling