Old Vine Muscadelle

The Old Vine Muscadelle cuvée is produced from century-old vines planted in the sandy, clay-loam soils of Rutherglen, in the north-east of the state of Victoria, Australia. This historic vineyard, cultivated by the Chambers family since 1858, benefits from a warm continental climate, ideal for the over-ripening of Muscadelle , the region's emblematic grape variety. The temperature amplitude between warm days and cool nights encourages a natural concentration of sugars and aromas, giving the wine an unparalleled richness rooted in the Australian terroir.

The vinification of this cuvée is based on a traditional method specific to Rutherglen fortified wines . The grapes are harvested late, at full maturity, then destemmed and lightly pressed. The fermentation, deliberately short, is stopped by the addition of neutral grape brandy, in order to preserve the natural sugars. The wine is then transferred to a solera (dating from 1986) made up of old untopped barrels, where it undergoes prolonged oxidative aging . This system, based on the principle of fractional blending of several vintages, allows for the construction of a remarkable aromatic complexity while ensuring the continuity of the house style. No filtration or clarification is carried out to preserve the authenticity of the wine.

This wine reveals notes of dates , currants , salted caramel , cooked plum , candied orange zest , mocha , toasted walnuts and black tea . On the palate, the texture is velvety , with an enveloping sweetness perfectly balanced by the acidity and remarkable depth. The finish, long and persistent, leaves a lasting impression. noble and distinguished.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multi-generational winemaking families and an ingrained knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to that a thirst to explore and innovate, a fearless attitude and a diverse notebook of 65 wine regions in many climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine country unlike any other. Australia burst into export markets in the 1980s and since then has been providing the world with vibrant, fruity and exceptional value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, Australian wine history was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diversity of Australia's offering of high quality and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is mainly concentrated on the southern oceanic edge where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions located around major cities. Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the largest wine producers in the world, and was the 4th largest exporter in the world in 2011. This recent development now makes Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines all over the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines which are defined by their terroir.