Rutherglen Muscat Flashcards
Define Rutherglen Muscat
An extremely sweet, dark, fortified wine
Popular since 19th Century - British Immigrants
Where does Rutherglen Muscat come from?
Rutherglen, NE corner Victoria state, SE Australia
What’s the climate like in Rutherglen?
Hot, sunny and dry Continental climate
GDD 1770 = Cooler than e.g. McClaren Vale
Variation between warmest (Jan 32c) and coolest (July 13c) months
Warm summer days and cool nights due to air flow from the foot hills of the Victorian Alps. Diurnal range, 13~15c swing March~May
Autumns are typically long and dry. Rain at harvest sometimes a threat. Spring frosts are an issue
Soils in Rutherglen?
Deep, moisture retaining, Red Loam
Slightly sandier nearer to Murray River
When does it rain in Rutherglen?
Quite even rainfall throughout the year, 50mm each month +/-10mm
Total about 600mm
What grapes are used to make Rutherglen Muscat?
Muscat Rouge a Petits Grains, known as ‘Brown Muscat’
How are Rutherglen grapes grown and ripened?
Mostly unirrigated, no Botrytis
Grapes partly raisin on vine
When and it what condition are the grapes harvested?
Harvest March ~ May
Usually Indian Summer conditions but sometimes risk of rain
Weather allows long Hangtime - grapes slightly raisin on the vine
Grapes picked at min 16 Be but usually >20 Be
How are Rutherglen Muscat grapes Vinified?
In S. Steel
Partial ferment ‘till 14~16 Be (around 4~5% abv)
Fortified 96% Neutral grape spirit to 18% abv
Transferred to oak casks for maturation
How are Rutherglen Muscats Matured?
Oak casks of varying size in HOT conditions
Often under tin roofs similar to a Madeira Canteiro
Evaporation, Maderisation and Oxidation play a part in the final style and quality of the wine
How are Rutherglen Muscats blended
Usually a blend from several casks to create complexity and consistency.
Very rare to just use wine from a single cask
Many, not all, wineries have a Solera type system where wines from various casks are blended then aged further.
Campbell’s of Rutherglen have a 7 cask Solera system
In what year was a voluntary classification system introduced for Rutherglen Muscat?
1995
What are the Rutherglen classification categories?
Rutherglen Muscat
Rutherglen Classic
Rutherglen Grand
Rutherglen Rare
Classified Rutherglen Muscat
Average age 3~5yrs
180~240g/l Residual Sugar
Fresh raisin aromas, rich fruit, clean spirit and great length of flavour
Classified Rutherglen Classic
Average age 6~10yrs
200~280g/l Residual sugar
A greater level of richness and complexity than Std Rutherglen Muscat
Starting to develop dry Rancio character
