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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Rutherglen Muscat |
- long tradition of fortified wines - in the declines since 1960 but at one time dominated the industry - 2009, the Fortified Sustainability project reported on ways to revive the domestic market - report required name changes for some of the wines (Sherry / Tokaji) - port and sherry style wines are made throughout AU but the most famous are Rutherglen Muscats - region is also known for a similar style of wine made from Muscadelle (white grape) (Topaque but used to be called Liquer Tokay) |
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Location |
- north eastern victoria |
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climate |
- warm, high levels of sunshine with wide diurnal range and log dry autumns - much of the area is flat - this combined with it's inland location, make the region continental in climate - very hot summer terms are ideal in terms of reaching required must weights for fortified wines |
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soils |
- deep, moisture retaining, alluvial red loam thanks to Murray River |
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Grapes |
- brown muscat (muscat a petits grains rouge) - white grape - it is intrinsic to the regions profile - unique winemaking process involves a slow and oxidative barrel aging which imparts a complex array of flavors variously described as caramel, coffee, butterscotch, sweet spices, molasses, tea liquor, and cassis liquor. |
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Viticulture |
- long dry growing season allows for grapes, unaffected by botrytis to shrivel and acheive 17-18 baume - dry farming is common practice |
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Winery |
- fermentation only reaches a few degrees of alc. before the wine is fortified to about 18% with a highly rectified grape spirit - wine is then aged in various sizes of old oak casks, usually in very hot conditions - evaporation, heat and oxidation all have an important part to play in the final style and quality of the wines - blending (sometimes in a solera type system) is vital to maintaining the style and consistency of a producers brands |
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Classification |
- voluntary system is operated by the Muscat of Rutherglen network - Four categories exist: Rutherglen Muscat / Classic Rutherglen Muscat / Grand Rutherglen Muscat / Rare Rutherglen Muscat |
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Important trade structures |
Muscat of Rutherglen network - The ‘Muscat of Rutherglen Network’ comprises the notable companies of All Saints, Bullers, Campbells, Chambers, Morris, Pfeiffer, Seppelt and Stanton & Killeen. - It is the operators of these companies who have chosen the classification levels and operate the system whereby muscat is allocated into the different niches of muscat hierarchy. - To this time 29 muscats are included within this classification, including several so limited in quantity that are only available from some of the cellar-doors. |
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Rutherglen Muscat - wine |
- foundation of style - fresh raisin aromas - rich fruit, clean spirit, great length on palate - avg. age 3-5 years - RS 180-240 g/l |
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Classic Rutherglen Muscat |
- greater level of richness and complexity
- due to blending of selected parcels of wine from various sized casks to impart dry rancio characters in seasoned wood - ave. age 6-10 yrs - RS 200-280 g/l |
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Grand Rutherglen Muscat |
- new levels of intesity, depth, concentration of flavors and mature rancio characters - ave. age 11-19 yrs - RS 270-400 g/l |
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Classic Rutherglen Muscat |
-pinnacle of rutherglen muscat - fully developed and displaying extraordinary qualities from blending of only select parcels of richest, complete wines in cellar - only bottled in tiny quantities - min. age 20+ - RS 270-400 g/l |
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Rutherglen Topaque |
- originally labelled Tokay in the 1800's (most likely due to similar characteristics of Hungarian Tokaji) - in 1970's it was discovered to be the same as muscadelle however no need to change name as they'd been making it under that name for 120+ years - in 21st century, had to change name due to labelling agreements for countries within the EU. - research was taken and Topaque was selected - phase out of name not enforced until 2016 - lighter and finer in style - flavors of candied fruits, honey, toffee and cold tea (as opposed to chocholate and raisin flavors of muscat) - production style is nearly identical |
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Notable producers |
Campbells Morris Stanton & Killeen. |
