C45 - Fortified Muscats

Question 1

What flavour features are common to all of the major Muscat varieties?

Answer 1

They all have low to medium acidity and display perfumed aromas of orange blossom, rose and grape

Question 2

Describe the best environment for growing Muscats

Answer 2

Warm/hot climates but typically with some cooling influences

Question 3

What does a cooling influence do to benefit Muscat grapes?

Answer 3

Help to preserve the grapes’ acidity levels and aromas

Question 4

What are the two broad styles into which Muscats are made?

Answer 4

Youthful and unaged

Fully developed after an extended period of ageing

Question 5

Describe the profile of youthful, unaged, fortified Muscats

Answer 5

Typically sweet, but rarely luscious
Medium gold in colour
Floral and aromatic

Question 6

What is the aim of a winemaker for youthful, unaged Muscat?

Answer 6

To make sure that varietal character is as pure as possible

Question 7

Give a notable example of a youthful, unaged fortified Muscat

Answer 7

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise (Southern Rhône)

Question 8

At what point will grapes be picked for youthful, unaged fortified Muscats?

Answer 8

When they are ripe and healthy (rather than raising them, as this will mask the pure varietal characteristics)

Question 9

How is aromatic intensity and richness added to youthful fortified Muscats when the grapes reach the winery?

Answer 9

Some skin contact is widely used

Question 10

How can the effect of skin contact be further enhanced when vinifying youthful Muscat?

Answer 10

By extending skin contact into/throughout fermentation

Question 11

Describe fermentation of fortified, youthful Muscat styles

Answer 11

Fermentation is cool and stopped by fortification

Question 12

What is used to fortify fermenting Muscat and stop fermentation?

Answer 12

96% abv grape spirit

Question 13

How are primary fruit flavours preserved in fortified, youthful Muscats before bottling?

Answer 13

The wines are stored in inert vessels prior to bottling and protected from any contact with oxygen

Question 14

Describe the range of key attributes in fully developed, aged Muscats

Answer 14

They range in colour from amber to brown and can be sweet or luscious

Question 15

Where are aged Muscats made?

Answer 15

In many countries

Question 16

Where do some of the most celebrated examples of luscious Muscats come from?

Answer 16

Rutherglen, Australia

Question 17

What will determine the style of Rutherglen Muscats?

Answer 17

Timing of the harvest
When the wines are fortified
Length and type of ageing the wines undergo

Question 18

Describe harvest of grapes for aged fortified Muscats

Answer 18

They will be picked when ripe and healthy

Question 19

Describe harvest for luscious styles of Muscat

Answer 19

The producer may want some raisining to occur before harvest

Question 20

What is the risk of excessive raisining when harvesting Muscats for a luscious style?

Answer 20

Grapes can lose too much of their varietal aromas and resulting wines can lack an expressive Muscat character

Question 21

Describe fermentation for aged, fortified Muscats

Answer 21

Fermentation will nearly always take place on the skins

For luscious styles, fortification may take place when fermentation has reached only 2% abv

Question 22

What will happen once grapes have been fortified for aged/luscious Muscats?

Answer 22

They will undergo a period of oxidative ageing that can last for decades

Question 23

Describe key elements of the ageing process for maturation of Muscats

Answer 23

Old wood
Large oak vessels
Occasionally aged in warm conditions

Question 24

Describe fortified Muscats as they age

Answer 24

They become amber and finally brown
Develop pronounced oxidative aromas
Even when very old, they can still retain their Muscat aromas

Question 25

What practice is common with Muscats at the end of ageing and just before bottling?

Answer 25

They are given an aromatic lift by blending in a small amount of more youthful wine prior to bottling