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WSET Dip D5 > Rutherglen Muscat > Flashcards

Rutherglen Muscat Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the most well known fortified fine coming out of Australia?

A

Rutherglen Muscat

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2
Q

When were the first vines planted in Rutherglen, Victoria?

A

In the 1850s

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3
Q

Is Rutherglen one of the few wine regions in Australia that was decimated by phylloxera?

A

Yes

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4
Q

Are most of the wineries producing Rutherglen Muscat family owned?

A

Yes, most wineries that produce Rutherglen Muscat are family owned and due to that ‘house styles’ have been developed.

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5
Q

What are some of the examples of house styles when it comes to Rutherglen Muscat

A
  • Pfeiffer Wines are known for producing light, fresher styles of Rutherglen Muscat
  • All Saints and Morris are known for more intense and luscious styles of wine
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6
Q

Where in Rutherglen located in Victoria?

A

It is situated inland in the north east of Victoria

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7
Q

How many ha are under wine in Rutherglen?

A

411 ha

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8
Q

What is the climate in Rutherglen?

A

It has a continental climate with warm days

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9
Q

Are there any moderating influences in Rutherglen?

A

Yes! The warm days are tempered by the cool air that flows down the Victorian Alps

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10
Q

How long do the grapes stay on the vine for Rutherglen Muscat?

A

Grapes will often be left on the vine until become extra ripe and begin to shrivel (sometime between mid-March and May)

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11
Q

What happens when the grapes for Rutherglen Muscat begin to shrivel?

A
  • Increases the sugar concentration

- Leads to the development of some dried fruit characteristics like raisin

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12
Q

Are all of the grapes used in the production of Rutherglen Muscat picked at the same time?

A

No, by picking different vineyard blocks at different times, they gain a combination of fresh Muscat aromas/flavors, and extra-ripe, shrivelled grapes with more sugar and dried fruit characteristics

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13
Q

Are botrytis derived flavours desired in Rutherglen Muscat?

A

No. Despite the long ageing process, the grapey aromas of Muscat should be identifiable

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14
Q

Rutherglen Muscat is made from what grape variety?

A

Muscat a Petits Grains Rouges, otherwise known as Rutherglen Brown Muscat

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15
Q

What are the typical training and trellis systems used in Rutherglen?

A
  • Vines are trained to double cordons

- Canopy will either be sprawling over a single wire or held more in place with a VSP system

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16
Q

What is a key concern for Rutherglen Muscat producers when it comes to canopy management?

A

To ensure that there is enough shading or else the grapes are likely to become sunburnt

17
Q

How are older vines said to differ from younger vines in Rutherglen?

A

They are said to produce grapes with a higher skin to juice ratio, which can produce deeper coloured, more concentrated wines.

This can be used as a blending element for house styles.

18
Q

What is the fermentation process for Muscat grapes that are partially shrivelled on arrival to the winery in Rutherglen?

A
  • Muscat grapes that are shrivelled are hard to extract the juice from through immediate pressing.
  • Crush grapes are fermented briefly on their skins to break down the pulp and release sugars and flavours
  • Some enzymes may be added to the must and various cap management techniques are employed to aid extraction
19
Q

What happens when the must for Rutherglen Muscat reaches 1-2% abv?

A

It is quickly drained off the skins, which are then pressed

20
Q

Do Rutherglen Muscat producers use a neutral spirit or spirit with more character?

A

Producers used a neutral spirit (~96%) as they aim to retain the Muscat character. Lower strength spirits would also need to be added in greater volumes and would dilute the wine

21
Q

What post-ferment adjustments will Rutherglen Muscat producers make, and why?

A
  • They will clarify the wines by rack off lees or light filtration
  • Next they may make adjustments to the pH and preform light fining for protein stability

This is done to avoid deposits that might cause off-flavours during maturation

22
Q

What is Rutherglen Muscat generally matured in?

A

Very old oak vessels, often in warm conditions.

23
Q

How are Rutherglen Muscat classically matured?

A
  • The wines are matured in warehouses with tin roofs which become hot in the summer
  • Positioning of barrels is important as those nearer the top of stacks are subjected to warmer temps, causing them to mature more quickly
  • Some producers also have sections of their warehouses that are insulated to retain more-even, cooler temperatures throughout the year which generally slows the maturation and retains greater freshness
24
Q

What are the different barrel sizes used for Rutherglen Muscat?

A
  • 180L
  • 500L
  • 1300L
  • 9000L
25
Q

As water evaporates from being aged in oak vessels, what components increase in concentration? (Rutherglen Muscat)

A
  • Sugar
  • Flavours
  • Alcohol
  • Acidity
26
Q

True or False,

Most Rutherglen Muscat wines are vintage products?

A

False, most of them are non-vintage blends

27
Q

How will ullage levels differ depending on the style of Rutherglen Muscat being produced?

A
  • If an less-oxidized, fresher style of Rutherglen Muscat is being produced, vessels will be topped off more frequently to maintain that fresher profile
  • If an oxidative style of Rutherglen Muscat is being produced, the vessels will be topped off less frequently
28
Q

How will the colour change for Rutherglen Muscat during the maturation process

A

Pale pink, ruby or garnet to deep brown

29
Q

List some of the important aspects to blending Rutherglen Muscat

A
  • The blending of younger and older wines to gain the optimum balance of freshness and complexity
  • To retain a consistent style from year to year, creating a house style
  • Blending wines are different residual sugar levels can fine-tune the perception of sweetness in the final wine
30
Q

When was the Muscat of Rutherglen Network founded, and what is its purpose?

A

1995, and it was created to promote the sales of Rutherglen Muscat

31
Q

List the 4 different classifications of Rutherglen Muscat, and their discriptions

A
  • Rutherglen Muscat - described as the foundation of the style. Average 3-5 years. R.S. 180-240 g/L
  • Classic Rutherglen Muscat - Displays a greater level of concentration, complexity and tertiary flavours. Average 6-10 years. R.S. 200-280 g/L
  • Grand Rutherglen Muscat - Displays even greater concentration and complexity from blending young and very mature wines. Average 11-19 years. R.S. 270-400 g/L
  • Rare Rutherglen Muscat - These wines are bottling in tiny volumes and represent the pinnacle of Rutherglen Muscat. Minimum average age of 20 years - wines used in the blend can often be much older. R.S. 270-400 g/L
32
Q

What is a normal tasting note for Rutherglen Muscat?

A
  • Medium Garnet colour
  • Sweet
  • Full bodied
  • Pronounced aromas of Raisins, figs, dates, and sweet spices
  • Medium alcohol
  • pronounced intensity of flavours
33
Q

What is a normal tasting note for ‘Classic’ Rutherglen Muscat compared to Rutherglen Muscat?

A
  • Deeper colour

- more concentration and complexity

34
Q

What is a normal tasting note for ‘Grand’ or ‘Rare’ Rutherglen Muscat?

A
  • Tawny or Brown in Colour
  • Nutty, treacle, liquorice character
  • Even sweet and fuller than younger Rutherglen Muscat
  • Higher acidity than younger Rutherglen Muscat
  • Typically outstanding quality and can reach super-premium prices
35
Q

True or False,

Rutherglen Muscat does not improve with further ageing?

A

True, these wines are fully mature on release and should be drunk within a year or two after bottling to taste at its freshest

36
Q

Where is the majority volume of sales for Rutherglen Muscat?

A

Domestic

37
Q

Fortified wines (not just Rutherglen Muscat) accounts for what percentage of Australian wine sold globally?

A

2%

38
Q

List the key export markets for Rutherglen Muscat

A
  • China
  • UK
  • USA

WSET Dip D5 (5 decks)

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