Fortified Muscat

Question 1

Where is Muscat used to make fortified wine?

Answer 1

throughout the world

Question 2

there are a number of different grape varietals that are called Muscat - T or F?

Answer 2

true

Question 3

Describe characteristics of Muscat

Answer 3

low to med acidity, perfume aromas of orange blossom, rose and grape.

Question 4

What kind of climate does Muscat do well in?

Answer 4

they can thrive in warm and hot climates but vineyards do well with some cooling influences which help preserve the aromas and acidity levels.

Question 5

Describe a youthful unaged Muscat

Answer 5

med gold in color, floral and aromatic. want to keep it as pure as possible. typically sweet but rarely luscious

Question 6

Where are youthful Muscats made?

Answer 6

throughout the world, one notable region is Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise that comes from S. Rhone.

Question 7

Describe the grape picking process for young Muscats

Answer 7

grapes are picked when they are ripe and healthy.

Question 8

what practice is not done after picking the grapes typically for young muscat

Answer 8

raisin or drying the grapes happen after picking to concentrate the grape sugars, this could mask some of the original flavors

Question 9

What happens after young Muscat grapes are crushed?

Answer 9

the juice may be separated from the skins, but some skin contact is widely used to help increase aromatic intensity and add some richness to the palate.

Question 10

What can further enhance intensity and richness on the palate for young Muscat grapes

Answer 10

skin contact continues during part or all of the fermentation.

Question 11

Describe the fermentation process for young Muscat

Answer 11

fermentation is cool and its stopped by fortification with 96% abv grape spirit to give a sweet wine. in order to preserve primary fruit aromas they are stored in inert vessels prior to bottling and protected from any contact with O2

Question 12

describe the characteristics of fully developed aged Muscats

Answer 12

amber to brown color, and can be sweet or luscious

Question 13

where are aged Muscats made?

Answer 13

throughout the world but some of the most celebrated examples made in a luscious style come from Rutherglen in Australia

Question 14

How are the styles of aged Muscat wines determined?

Answer 14

by the timing of harvest, when the wines are fortified, and the length and type of aging that they undergo.

Question 15

To make a sweet aged Muscat wine how are grapes picked?

Answer 15

when they are ripe and healthy, but to make more luscious wines the producer may want to allow some raising to happen prior to picking but care needs to be taken

Question 16

What does raising add to the aromas?

Answer 16

extra complexity - too much raisining will make the grapes lose too much of their varietal aromas and the resulting wines can lack expressive Muscat character

Question 17

Describe fermentation for aged Muscats

Answer 17

nearly always takes place on the skins. if luscious wine is being made the fortification may take place when fermentation has only reached 2% abv

Question 18

What happens after fermentation for aged Muscats

Answer 18

they undergo a period of oxidative aging that can last for decades. old wood being essential in this process (new wood would clash with the grape aromas). large oak vessels are widely used.

Question 19

What happens as Aged Muscats are aged?

Answer 19

aged in warmed conditions at times, the become amber and then brown and develop pronounced oxidative aromas. but even when they are really old they can still retain their Muscat aromas.

Question 20

How are aged muscats oldest wines given an aromatic lift commonly?

Answer 20

by blending in a small amount of more youthful wine prior to bottling.