6.1: Rutherglen Muscat - The Growing Environment and Grape Growing

Question 1

Where is Rutherglen located?

Answer 1

situated inland in the north east of Victoria

Question 2

How many hectares of vines are planted?

Answer 2

411 ha.

Question 3

What is the climate?

Answer 3

• continental climate
• warm days
• moderated by cool air flowing down from the Victorian Alps during the night

Question 4

What does the climate mean for sugar accumulation in the grapes?

Answer 4

• warm days in the growing season
• long, dry autumns
• mean that large amounts of sugar can accumulate in the grapes, required for these syrupy, very sweet styles of wine

Question 5

For how long are grapes often left on the vine?

Answer 5

until they become extra ripe and start to shrivel

Question 6

When the grapes are left on the vine, what develops?

Answer 6

• increases the sugar concentration

- leads to the development of some dried fruit characteristics e.g. raisin

Question 7

How high can the potential alcohol levels of the grapes get?

Answer 7

not unusual for grapes to reach potential alcohol levels of 20% abv

Question 8

How will the producer decide when to harvest?

Answer 8

according to the weather and the degree of ripeness they desire

Question 9

When does harvest usually occur?

Answer 9

between mid-March and May

Question 10

How does harvest usually happen?

Answer 10

• many producers pick different vineyard blocks at different times to gain a combination of earlier harvested fruit with fresh Muscat aromas, and extra-ripe, shrivelled grapes with more sugar and dried fruit characters
• weather at harvest-time can influence which of these alternatives will predominate

Question 11

What can occasionally become a climate problem?

Answer 11

• rain in autumn

- increasing the risk of fungal diseases

Question 12

What is not desired in Rutherglen Muscat wines?

Answer 12

orange marmalade aromas that botrytis can give

Question 13

What grape is used? What is another name for this?

Answer 13

• Muscat à Petits Grains Rouges

- known locally as Rutherglen Brown Muscat

Question 14

What is Muscat à Petits Grains Rouges?

Answer 14

• red-skinned mutation of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

- displays pronounced grapey and floral aromas

Question 15

How might the vines be trained?

Answer 15

• double cordons

- canopy sprawls over a single foliage wire held by more wires into a VSP system

Question 16

What is a key concern when it comes to training?

Answer 16

to provide some shading for the grapes which are likely to otherwise become sunburn

Question 17

Are most of the vines new or old?

Answer 17

• considerable plantings of old vines

Question 18

Describe how old vines affect the final wine.

Answer 18

• bunches of smaller grapes with a higher skin to juice ratio
• can produce deeper coloured, more concentrated wines

Question 19

What might old vines be used for?

Answer 19

blending, element of house style