Rutherglen Muscat

Rutherglen Muscat 12 Sep 2009 21:17:20

Rutherglen is a fortified wine (fortified after partial fermentation of the grapes) made from Muscat a Petit Grains locally called Brown Muscat but it is also a town situated in North East Victoria in Australia. In this region, some of the finest fortified wines are produced. The continental climate with high temperature in summer, sunny and dry is moderated by the foothills of the Victorians Alps. The soil is made of deep alluvial water-retaining loam soil. The grapes are left on the vine during the long dry autumns to shrivell (semi-raisin) potentially achieving 20° to 22° Beaumé (20 to 22% vol). Each producers use different viticulture method depending on the styles they wish to accomplish: selective pruning affecting yields, picking selected parcels earlier than others or leaving the grapes longer on the vines to reach the maximum potential sucrosity (the latest represent more danger due to botytris when it starts to rain) Once harvested, the sticky juice is fermented in open fermenters or rotary fermenters until it has reached 14° to 17° Beaumé. At this stage, the wine is fortified by adding alcohol, grape spirit (Spiritus Vinum Rectificatum) at 95 – 96%.This action kills the yeasts, therefore stops the fermentation, allowing the total alcohol to reach 18% abv with a sugar level of 160 to 200g/L. The ageing and the blending are the most complex phases. After the fortification, the wine is aged oxydatively in oak casks & sized depending on the style required but also on the house/producer style.

The barrels are selected to allow the wine to mature keeping the primary fruit aromas and not the oak flavours. They are either placed nearer to the sun (estufagem style) or in cooler site. During this process, some of the wine evaporates to the atmosphere. This is called the “Angel’s shares” and represents around 5% of the total production. The ageing can lead to a fractional blending (solera system) which offer a certain consistency on the blend. For the Grand & Rare style of Rutherglen, only the best parcels from the best years are selected and bottled in very small quantity each year.

Types of Rutherglen Although there is no law for classification, there is a code of practice instated by eight funding members and producers. Their names are: All Saints Estate, Bullers, Campbells, Chambers, Morris, Pfeiffer, Seppelts, Stanton & Killeen They have introduced the following styles: Rutherglen Muscat Aged between 2 and 5 years. Has between 180 to 240 g/L of residual sugar. This is the basic as well as the house style. Rutherglen Classic Aged between 5 and 10 years. Has between 200 to 280 g/L of residual sugar. This style shows more of the “rancio” character. Rutherglen Grand Aged between 10 and 15 years. Has between 270 to 400 g/L of residual sugar. This style shows more complexity and finesse. Rutherglen Rare Aged between 15 years +. Has between 270 to 400 g/L of residual sugar. The production is very limited, account for 3% of the total production. It is a blend of the best parcels from the best years showing extreme complexity, delicateness and intensity of aromas.

Very expensive too… Visit the official website or download the brochure There is another liqueur produced called liqueur Tokay made from 100% Muscadelle.

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