Rutherglen Muscat Winemaking

Question 1

What makes the extraction of juice from Rutherglen Muscat grapes difficult? What effect does that have on the winemaking process?

Answer 1

The grapes are partly shrivelled, which makes it difficult for the dense juice to pass through. Fermentation starts o the skins to break down the pulp and release sugars and flavors

Question 2

True or False

Enzymes may be added to the grape must to facilitate extraction in Rutherglen Muscat winemaking

Answer 2

True. This may be used with other methods of extraction such as pushing down, pumping over, and rotary fermentation

Question 3

At what ABV is wine fortified in Rutherglen Muscat production?

Answer 3

1-2%

Question 4

What ABV is Rutherglen Muscat fortified to?

Answer 4

17.5%

Question 5

What is the typical ABV of the fortifying spirit used to make Rutherglen Muscat? Why?

Answer 5

96% so as to protect the aromatics of the Brown Muscat grapes. Lower ABV spirits would further dilute the wine.

Question 6

Is Rutherglen Muscat released young or matured?

Answer 6

It is matured in very old oak barrels often in warm conditions

Question 7

What is the classic aging process for Rutherglen Muscat? What effect does this have on the maturation process?

Answer 7

Very old oak barrels that are stacked in warehouses with tin roofs. The wines near the warehouse roof will mature faster as the tin roofs retain heat from the sunlight.

Question 8

True or False

Contemporary Rutherglen Muscat producers continue to use old tin roof warehouses to mature their wines

Answer 8

False. Some are insulating their warehouses to maintain cooler temperatures and produce fresher wines

Question 9

What type of barrel is used to mature Rutherglen Muscat?

Answer 9

Large round or oval casks of 1,300 to 9,000 liters and smaller barrels of 180 to 500 liters

Question 10

What is the effect of warmer conditions on Rutherglen Muscat maturation compared to cooler conditions?

Answer 10

Water evaporation and concentration of aromas, sugar, and alcohol occurs quicker in wines matured in warmer conditions.

Question 11

Do producers top off their Rutherglen Muscat barrels as they mature? Why or why not?

Answer 11

Some do in order to maintain a fresher style of wine while others prefer the oxidative style created by the ullage

Question 12

What effect does maturation overall have on Rutherglen Muscat?

Answer 12

The color changes from pale pink to ruby or garnet to deep brown. Sweetness, alcohol, acidity, and body increases. Tertiary flavors develop.

Question 13

True or False

The majority of Rutherglen Muscat is nonvintage

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What is the purpose of blending in Rutherglen Muscat production?

Answer 14

To help producers achieve a house style by using wines from different ripenness levels, multiple vintages, periods of maturation, and maturation temperatures

Question 15

What European system of maturation do some Rutherglen Muscat producers use to ensure consistency?

Answer 15

The solera system