Rutherglen Muscat - Australian Sticky!

Rutherglen Muscat is a fortified dessert wine made in the region of Rutherglen in Victoria, Australia. Rutherglen Muscat is produced using Muscat a Petits Grains Rouge or simply Rutherglen Brown Muscat. Rutherglen is historically known for its fortified Muscats and Tokays (now known as Topaque). Vines were first planted in Rutherglen during the gold rush era, which began in 1851. Rutherglen is Australia’s most important area in terms of fortified wine production. Rutherglen was officially recognized as a GI in 1997.

@Vineyards of Rutherglen.
Image Credits - Wine Australia.

The production of Rutherglen Muscat is identical to that of late harvest wine, the grapes are left on the vines till they are in a partial raisin state. The berries are then handled very carefully in the winery. The grapes are pressed and the fermentation is halted mid-way by adding grape spirit. One can rarely find a single vintage Rutherglen Muscat as the wine is most often a blend of many vintages that have been ageing in the winery. This blending is done with the help of the Solera System in which wine of the latest vintage is added to the barrels of wine which already has the previous vintages.  As a result of to this Solera ageing being followed the wines being aged in the region can back to almost 150 years. Truly a sip of history!

@Solera at Cambells of Rutherglen.
Image Credits - Cambells of Rutherglen.

The climate of Rutherglen plays a major when it comes to achieving the desired ripening of the grapes. The months during the harvest (i.e. March, April, and May) are mild and sunny, which allows the grapes to be left on the vines without fear of wasting the crop. The soil around the Murray River, which mainly comprises of sand, is known to produce very aromatic and fruity wines. Whereas the soils on higher grounds which consist of grey or brown loam (soil comprising of sand, silt, and clay) produce heavier and more luscious wines.

In 1995 a four-tier classification system was voluntarily laid out by the producers in Rutherglen to regulate their Muscat wines based on age, sweetness and complexity. The classification is as follows:

Rutherglen Muscat:

• The basic style of Rutherglen Muscat, with aromas of fresh raisin, and rich dry fruits. 
• The average age of the wine is 3-5 years with a residual sweetness ranging from 180-240 grams per litre.

Classic Rutherglen Muscat:

• A wine which displays more richness and complexity and produced using grapes from the best parcels. Often matured in different oak barrels to display distinctive dry ‘rancio’ character. 
• The average age of the wine is 6-10 years with a residual sweetness ranging from 200-280 grams per litre.

Grand Rutherglen Muscat:

• A style which displays the depth and intensity of Rutherglen Muscat wines. The wine has a concentration of aromas and mature rancio characters. 
• The average age of the wine is 11-19 years with a residual sweetness ranging from 270-400 grams per litre.

Rare Rutherglen Muscat:

• A wine which is true to its name and its style. This wine is the epitome of Rutherglen Muscats which are fully developed and made using the best possible grapes from the best possible parcels. These wines are bottle in minuscule quantities each year and display unfathomable complexity, texture and depth of flavour. 
• Minimum age of the wine is 20+ years with a residual sweetness ranging from 270-400 grams per litre.

@Seppeltsfield Paramount Collection DP 62 Museum Reserve Muscat.

Rutherglen Muscat is a wine which can stand up on its own when paired with strong flavours like chocolate, coffee, caramel & butterscotch. The lighter and younger Rutherglen Muscat can be paired with fruit-based desserts. It can also be served over ice as an aperitif or even along with spicy Asian food. 

Here’s a list of Rutherglen Muscat’s to look out for:

• Campbells, Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat, Victoria, Australia
• Buller Wines, Calliope Rare Muscat, Victoria, Australia
• Seppeltsfield Solero DP 63 Grand Muscat, Victoria, Australia
• Rutherglen Estates Muscat, Victoria, Australia

Article by - Kevin Rodrigues, Certified Sommelier.