Rutherglen Muscat winegrowing

Question 1

Growing environment Rutherglen

Answer 1

Temperature & Climate Factors

• warm continental
• warm sunny days
• cool nights (air from Victorian Alps)
• long, dry autumns → safe late harvest
• grapes can shrivel → very sweet, syrupy wines
• potential abv up to 20%
• dried fruit characters (e.g. raisin) develop
• harvest: mid-March to May
• depends on ripeness + weather (rain risk)
• blocks picked in stages:
  • early = fresher aromas
  • late = higher sugar, dried fruit notes

Question 2

Hazards Rutherglen Muscat

Answer 2

• sunburn risk on hot days
• shaded bunches important
• canopy management:
  • sprawling on single wire
  • VSP (multiple wires, upright canopy)

Question 3

Pests & Diseases Rutherglen Muscat

Answer 3

• mostly dry autumns, rain occasional
• fungal disease risk ↑
• Grey rot = threat
• Noble rot = unwanted
  • masks Muscat’s key grapey aromas
  • not typical for style

Question 4

Training/trellising systems + planting material
Rutherglen Muscat

Answer 4

Vineyard Establishment

• Range of training/trellis systems
• Trained to double cordons
• Canopy:
  • Sprawl (single wire)
  • VSP (multiple wires, upright)
• Shaded bunches crucial → sunburn risk on hot days

Planting Material

• Only variety: Muscat à Petits Grains Rouges (“Brown Muscat”)
  • Dark-skinned mutation of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
  • Key aromas: grapey, floral
• 8% of Rutherglen’s grape crush (3rd most crushed)
• Many vines 20–90 years old
• Older vines = more intense, rich flavours
• Old-vine content contributes to house style

Canopy Management & Harvest

• Harvest: mid-March to May
• Timing = desired ripeness + weather (rain risk)
• Block picking = mix of fresher + shrivelled grapes
  • early = fresh aromas
  • late = sugar, dried fruit notes

Hazard & Disease Management

• Mostly dry autumns; rain = fungal risk
• Grey rot = common issue
• Noble rot = not desired (masks Muscat’s key aromas)

Question 5

Canopy Management & Harvest Rutherglen

Answer 5

Canopy Management & Harvest

• Harvest: mid-March to May
• Timing = desired ripeness + weather (rain risk)
• Block picking = mix of fresher + shrivelled grapes
  • early = fresh aromas
  • late = sugar, dried fruit notes

Question 6

Hazard & Disease Management Rutherglen

Answer 6

Hazard & Disease Management

• Mostly dry autumns; rain = fungal risk
• Grey rot = common issue
• Noble rot = not desired (masks Muscat’s key aromas)