6: Rutherglen Muscat

Question 1

What styles of fortified wine does Australia make? Which is the most well known from a global standpoint?

Answer 1

• variety of fortified wine styles
• including some inspired by Sherry and Port.
• Rutherglen Muscat

Question 2

When were vines first planted in Rutherglen, Victoria?

Answer 2

1850s

Question 3

When did the popularity of Rutherglen, Victoria first increase? What caused this boom?

Answer 3

• 1858
• gold was discovered
• population boomed
• investment in the region increased

Question 4

In 1890, Rutherglen production was what percent of Australia’s wines? Where was much of it sold?

Answer 4

• 25%

- exported to UK

Question 5

What styles of wine were made in the 1890s?

Answer 5

• sources are unclear

- very old stocks of wines suggest some sweet, fortified wines were being made

Question 6

What happened to Rutherglen at the end of the 19th century?

Answer 6

decimated by phylloxera

Question 7

How did Rutherglen recover from phylloxera?

Answer 7

by replanting on resistant rootstocks

Question 8

Why did Rutherglen never fully recover after phylloxera?

Answer 8

• new century brought Federation and end to cross-border tariffs
• found it difficult to compete with the more productive regions in South Australia
• did not fully restore its previous area of vineyard

Question 9

Today, what is Rutherglen considered?

Answer 9

the capital of fortified wines in Australia

Question 10

Who mainly produces Rutherglen Muscat? What has this lead to?

Answer 10

• family run and have been making this wine for several generations
• ‘house styles’ have developed and been maintained based on fruit selection, winemaking, maturation and blending choices