Fortified Sweet Wines

Question 1

A list of important wines/regions of Muscat

Answer 1

Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (Alsace): Intensely aromatic, light to medium body, low-med acidity.
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise (Southern Rhone): Sweet Fortified Wine
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (Rutherglen): Luscious, extra ‘hangtime’ on the vine
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (Asti): Sweet , low alcohol, young sparkling wine
Muscat of Alexandria: Moscatel de Valencia, a Sweet Fortified Wine from Valencia, Spain,
Muscat of Alexandria: Vin de Constance; late harvest desert wine in South Africa
Muscat of Alexandria: Chile used for production of grape brandy “Pisco”
Muscat of Alexandria: Sherry aged oxidatively

Question 2

Briefly describe growing conditions and characteristics of Muscat grapes

Answer 2

Muscat is an aromatic variety with floral, orange blossom, rose and grapy notes. Has moderate acidity.
It can thrive in warm and hot climates while benefiting from some cooling influences to preserve its acidity.

Question 3

Name two styles of fortified wines made from Muscat

Answer 3

1) Youthful, Unaged Muscats

2) Fully Developed, Aged Muscats

Question 4

Describe a Youthful, Unaged Fortified Muscat Wine

Answer 4

Sweet, but rarely luscious
Med Gold
Floral, Aromatic; orange blossom, rose and grape

Question 5

Describe a Fully Developed, Aged Fortified Muscat Wine

Answer 5

Sweet or luscious
Amber to Brown
Pronounced oxidative aromas yet retaining varietal aromas of orange blossom, rose and grape
Sometimes lifted by blending a small amount of youthful wine

Question 6

Winemaking steps of Youthful, Unaged Fortified Muscat Wine

Answer 6

Aim is to keep varietal character as pure as possible:
Grapes are picked when ripe and healthy
Some skin contact is widely used after crushing to increase aromatic intensity and add some richness to the palate
Fertmentation is cool
Stopped by 96% abv grape spirit to give a sweet wine
Wines are stores in inert vessels away from oxygen until bottled to preserve primary fruit aromas

Question 7

Winemaking steps of Fully Developed, Aged Fortified Muscat Wine

Answer 7

Grapes are picked when ripe and healthy
For lusciously sweet styles, a limited raisining may be allowed on the vine not to overwhelm the varietal aromas
Fermentation on the skins
For lusciously sweet styles, fortified at only 2% abv
Period of oxidative ageing in old large oak vessels that can last for decades
Commonly, before bottling, the old wine is lifted by blending a small amount of youthful wine