Ch 6 Rutherglen Flashcards

D5 Ch 6 Rutherglen Muscat

1
Q

When were vines first planted in Rutherglen?

A
  • In the 1850s
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2
Q

Where is Rutherglen?

A

Victoria, Australia
Situated inland in the NE of Victoria

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3
Q

When was gold discovered in the Rutherglen region? What happened?

A

Gold discovered 1858
The population boomed and investment in the region increased
By 1890, Rutherglen produced ~25% of AUS’s wine, much of which was exported to the UK

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4
Q

What happened at the end of the 19th century to Rutherglen?

A

Along with parts of Victoria, Rutherglen was devastated by phylloxera
By the time Rutherglen recovered by replanting on resistant rootstocks, the new century brought an end to cross-border tariffs and Rutherglen found it difficult to compete w/ more productive regions of S AUS
It is, however, still considered the capital of fortified wines in AUS

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5
Q

Why are “house styles” common for Rutherglen Muscat?

A

Many of the wineries that produce Rutherglen Muscat are family run and have been making wine for several generations
They’ve developed based on fruit selection, winemaking, maturation and blending choices

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6
Q

What Rutherglen label is known for a lighter, fresher style? For more intense, luscious styles?

A

Pfeiffer wines = lighter, fresher style
All Saints and Morris are known for intense and luscious styles

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7
Q

How many ha is Rutherglen?

A

70ha under vine (vs prior book = 411ha)

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8
Q

What is the climate of Rutherglen?

A

Continental, with warm days moderated by cool air flowing down from the Victorian Alps during the night
Warm days in the growing season and long, dry autumns mean that large amounts of sugar can accumulate

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9
Q

When are grapes for Rutherglen Muscat typically harvested?
What are typical potential alcohol/abv levels?

A

Harvest varies from mid-March to May, depending on the style of ripeness desired and the weather conditions
Grapes are often left on the vine until they become extra ripe and start to shrivel
It is not unusual for grapes to reach potential alcohol levels of 20% abv
Many producers pick different blocks at different times to gain a combo of sugar and dried fruit characters

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10
Q

Is Botrytis desired for Rutherglen Muscat?

A

No
The orange marmalade aromas that botrytis can give are not desired in the production of these wines where even despite a long aging process, the grapes aromas of Muscat should still be identifiable

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11
Q

What grape(s) is/are used for Rutherglen Muscat?

A

Muscat à Petits Grains Rouges - also known as Brown Muscat
This is a red-skinned mutation of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
It is similar to the white version - displays pronounced grapes and floral aromas

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12
Q

What vine training and trellising is used in Rutherglen?

A

A variety of systems are used
Vines tend to be trained double cordon with the canopy sprawling over a single foliage wire or held by more wires into a VSP system
A key concern is providing shading to avoid sunburn

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13
Q

What allows Rutherglen to produce grapes with a high skin to juice ratio?

A

Rutherglen has many old vines that produce smaller grapes

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14
Q

Why are Rutherglen wines often deep colored and concentrated?

A

Rutherglen has many older vines that produce smaller grapes with higher skin to juice ratio
This can produce deeper colored, more concentrated wines
The proportion of old vine fruit can be an element of house style

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15
Q

Describe the initial steps of fermenting Rutherglen Muscat

A

The Muscat grapes are partly shriveled making it hard to extract the dense juice through pressing immediately
Crushed Muscat grapes therefore ferment briefly on their skins to break down the pulp and release sugar and flavors
Enzymes may be added to the juice and various cap mgmt techniques may be used to aid extraction (punch down, pump over, rotary fermenters)

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16
Q

Describe how Rutherglen Muscat is fortified

A

Once the juice gains 1-2% abv, it is quickly drained off the skins which are pressed and the combined juice is then fortified to reach around 17.5% abv
Fortifying spirits of at least 96% are usually chosen
Most producers aim to retain Muscat character and therefore want a neutral spirit
High abv is used so that they can use less and not dilute the wine

17
Q

What happens after Rutherglen Muscat is fortified but before maturation

A

Wines are clarified by racking off lees or by light filtration
Winemakers may now make adjustments to pH and perform light fining for protein stability
The aim is to avoid deposits that might cause off-flavors during maturation

18
Q

How are Rutherglen Muscats matured?

A

Typically in very old oak vessels, ranging from 180-500L to 1300-9000L
Often in warm conditions
Traditionally in warehouses w/ tin roofs which become hot in the summer
The positioning of the barrels is important - those nearer the top of stacks are subjected to warmer temps and mature more quickly
Some producers have sections of warehouse that are insulated to retain more even, cooler temps throughout the year which leads to slower maturation and retain freshness

19
Q

How do smaller maturation vessels compare to larger for Rutherglen Muscat (size, implications)?

A

Smaller vessels are generally 180-500L versus large that can be from 1300-9000L
Smaller vessels promote greater concentration through evaporation, more oxidation and generally a quicker maturation
Wood is often very old as flavors and tannins of new oak are not wanted in these wines

20
Q

Describe what happens to Rutherglen Muscat as it matures? What affects the process and how.

A

Water evaporates gradually from old oak vessels
This causes alcohol, sugar and acidity levels to rise gradually
The speed of the process is impacted by heat, the size of the vessel and also humidity
Warm, dry conditions lead to a quicker rate of evaporation
Some producers will reduce ullage by topping up the barrels frequently, maintaining a fresher, less oxidative style; others will do so less frequently to encourage oxidative flavors to develop

21
Q

How can a producer of Rutherglen Muscat affect the style of the wine during maturation?

A

Some producers will reduce ullage by topping up the barrels frequently, maintaining a fresher, less oxidative style;
others will do so less frequently to encourage oxidative flavors to develop

22
Q

How does the color of Rutherglen Muscat change during maturation? What happens to the structure of the wine?

A

Wines gradually turn from pale pink, ruby or garnet to deep brown
They increase in sweetness, alcohol and acidity levels to become fuller-bodied and more syrupy
They develop more tertiary flavors

23
Q

Are most Rutherglen Muscats Vintage or NV?

A

Most are NV
An important part of production is blending of younger and older wines to gain optimum balance between freshness and complexity and to retain a consistency of style YOY

24
Q

How are some Rutherglen Muscats like Sherry?

A

Some producers use a modified solara system — removing some wine from barrel and replacing it with younger wine — although often not in quite the same systematic way used in Sherry systems

25
Q

What is the Muscat of Rutherglen Network? When was it founded?

A

Founded 1995
Promote sales of Rutherglen Muscat
Intro’d a classification system of 4 descriptions based on richness, complexity and intensity (Rutherglen Muscat (RM), Classic RM, Grand RM, Rare RM)
Wines classified on taste rather than age, although age is a major factor in determining the style

26
Q

What can be said about Rutherglen Muscats as their level of classification increases?

A

As level of classification increases, the # of vintages in the blend and the span of age between the oldest and youngest will generally be greater

27
Q

Do most producers produce all of the levels of Rutherglen Muscat?

A

Many producers of Rutherglen Muscat produce each of the 4 styles
However, the 2 “lower” styles (Rutherglen Muscat and Classic Rutherglen Muscat) will generally be produced in much greater volumes than the 2 “higher” levels (Grand or Rare)

28
Q

What are the 4 levels of classification of Rutherglen Muscat?

A

Rutherglen Muscat
Classic Rutherglen Muscat
Grand Rutherglen Muscat
Rare Rutherglen Muscat

29
Q

Describe the classification of “Rutherglen Muscat”

A

Described as the foundational style
Average age of 3-5 years
RS 180-240 g/L

30
Q

Describe the classification of “Classic Rutherglen Muscat”

A

Displays greater level of concentration, complexity and tertiary flavors than (basic) Rutherglen Muscat
Average age 6-10 years
RS 200-280 g/L

31
Q

Describe the classification of “Grand Rutherglen Muscat”

A

Displays even greater concentration, complexity from blending both young and very mature wines
Average age 11-19 years
RS 270-400 g/L

32
Q

Describe the classification of “Rare Rutherglen Muscat”

A

Wines are bottled in tiny volumes and represent the pinnacle of Rutherglen Muscat
Min average age 20 years - but wines in the blend can often be much older
RS 270-400 g/L (same as Grand RM)

33
Q

Describe a “typical” Rutherglen Muscat (wine classified as Rutherglen Muscat)

A

While there are “house styles” the wines classified as “Rutherglen Muscat” tend to be…
Med amber or tawny in color
Pronounced aromas of raisins, figs, dates, and sweet spices
Sweet on the palate
Full bodied
M+ acidity
M alcohol (for fortified)
Pronounced intensity of flavors
Usually VG quality and mid-priced

34
Q

How do “Classic Rutherglen Muscats” compare to the foundational “Rutherglen Muscat” style?

A

Generally deeper color
More concentration and greater complexity
Quality and price generally between foundational and Grand and/or Rare

35
Q

How do “Grand” and “Rare” classifications of Rutherglen Muscats compare to the lower classifications of Rutherglen Muscats?

A

Usually brown in color
More nutty, treacle, licorice character
Even sweeter and fuller bodied than younger Rutherglen Muscats but w/ higher acidity and still some degree of fruit to provide balance
Typically Outstanding quality and can reach super-premium prices

36
Q

What is the aging potential of Rutherglen Muscat?

A

Rutherglen Muscat is fully mature on release and does not improve with further aging in bottle
It should be drunk w/in a year or two after bottling

37
Q

Is Rutherglen Muscat typically made from purchased grapes?

A

Production is in the hands of only a few wineries
Most wines are made entirely from estate-grown fruit, but some winemakers buy in a small amount of growers

38
Q

What % of AUS wines are fortified (not just Rutherglen Muscat)

A

about 2% of total AUS wines are fortified
About 20MM liters, a vast majority of which (19MM liters) are sold on the domestic market

39
Q

What are the key export markets for AUS fortified wine?

A
  • UK, USA (China was #1 previously, but likely fell off due to trade war?)