Rutherglen Muscat Flashcards
What is the most well known fortified fine coming out of Australia?
Rutherglen Muscat
When were the first vines planted in Rutherglen, Victoria?
In the 1850s
Is Rutherglen one of the few wine regions in Australia that was decimated by phylloxera?
Yes
Are most of the wineries producing Rutherglen Muscat family owned?
Yes, most wineries that produce Rutherglen Muscat are family owned and due to that ‘house styles’ have been developed.
What are some of the examples of house styles when it comes to Rutherglen Muscat
- 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
Where in Rutherglen located in Victoria?
It is situated inland in the north east of Victoria
How many ha are under wine in Rutherglen?
411 ha
What is the climate in Rutherglen?
It has a continental climate with warm days
Are there any moderating influences in Rutherglen?
Yes! The warm days are tempered by the cool air that flows down the Victorian Alps
How long do the grapes stay on the vine for Rutherglen Muscat?
Grapes will often be left on the vine until become extra ripe and begin to shrivel (sometime between mid-March and May)
What happens when the grapes for Rutherglen Muscat begin to shrivel?
- Increases the sugar concentration
- Leads to the development of some dried fruit characteristics like raisin
Are all of the grapes used in the production of Rutherglen Muscat picked at the same time?
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
Are botrytis derived flavours desired in Rutherglen Muscat?
No. Despite the long ageing process, the grapey aromas of Muscat should be identifiable
Rutherglen Muscat is made from what grape variety?
Muscat a Petits Grains Rouges, otherwise known as Rutherglen Brown Muscat
What are the typical training and trellis systems used in Rutherglen?
- Vines are trained to double cordons
- Canopy will either be sprawling over a single wire or held more in place with a VSP system
What is a key concern for Rutherglen Muscat producers when it comes to canopy management?
To ensure that there is enough shading or else the grapes are likely to become sunburnt
How are older vines said to differ from younger vines in Rutherglen?
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.
What is the fermentation process for Muscat grapes that are partially shrivelled on arrival to the winery in Rutherglen?
- 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
What happens when the must for Rutherglen Muscat reaches 1-2% abv?
It is quickly drained off the skins, which are then pressed
Do Rutherglen Muscat producers use a neutral spirit or spirit with more character?
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
What post-ferment adjustments will Rutherglen Muscat producers make, and why?
- 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
What is Rutherglen Muscat generally matured in?
Very old oak vessels, often in warm conditions.
How are Rutherglen Muscat classically matured?
- 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
What are the different barrel sizes used for Rutherglen Muscat?
- 180L
- 500L
- 1300L
- 9000L
