De Bortoli reveals new take on Rutherglen Muscat
De Bortoli is literally shaking up the world of Australian ‘stickies’, releasing its Muscat Aperitif designed both for drinking neat and serving in cocktails.
Rutherglen Muscat has quite the reputation in the world of fortified wine. The sweet, fortified Muscats – termed ‘stickies’ in their home country – date back to the 19th century and are one of the most famous styles in the world. Outside of Europe, it is probably the world’s most widely recognised region for fortified wines.
Yet heritage is no barrier to new thinking. De Bortoli – itself a renowned producer with almost a century’s heritage in the southeast of Australia – is charting a new path with its Muscat Aperitif. Though still bearing the style’s hallmarks, it has a lighter, more contemporary feel compared to the region’s archetypal style. As such, it serves as a versatile addition to a wine rack or a drinks cabinet.
The best of both worlds
“At De Bortoli, we wanted to create something that redefines the way people see Muscat,” explains Marc Scalzo, chief winemaker at De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate. “By blending fruit at different stages of ripeness, we’ve crafted a wine that’s vibrant and fresh, but still carries the depth and character that Rutherglen Muscat is known for.”
That exacting winemaking approach begins at harvest, but the methodology carries through to the entire process. Some bunches were picked at lower sugar levels, preserving acidity and fresh aromas, and then fermented with an aromatic yeast to preserve their character. These parcels rested in stainless steel, chosen to maintain the bright aromatic profile.
At the other end of the spectrum, however, some parcels were left on the vine to raisin, concentrating the sugar to luscious levels and developing riper flavours. Once fermented and fortified, Scalzo and his team blend together the different parcels, joining them together in old oak vessels.
The resulting wine therefore stands out from the pack of Rutherglen Muscat. There is a place for all styles, including De Bortoli’s Rutherglen Estate Classic Muscat (one of several award-winning fortified wines from the producer). That is a richer style, defined by its notes of raisins, dried fruits, nuts and toffee.
Muscat Aperitif, on the other hand, blends those concentrated flavours with more delicate flavours. “It balances honeyed sweetness with delicate hints of peach, rose water, and orange blossom,” says Scalzo, “offering a profile that is both complex yet refined, and quirky enough to add personality to any mixed drink or cocktail.”
Adaptable to a tee
Thanks to the versatility baked into the winemaking, Muscat Aperitif is versatile in its consumption. While Rutherglen Muscats are most strongly associated with the end of a meal, their dried fruit aromas being a natural pairing with hard cheeses or rich desserts, De Bortoli’s latest suits a wealth of occasions.
It can be consumed at room temperature, but also works well chilled. The lower temperature accentuates the fresh qualities of the wine, making it an ideal aperitif. It can therefore sit equally well in the usual position at the end of a meal, and at the beginning as an aperitif. Indeed, having been made with lightness in mind, food is not essential to enjoy the wine.
Moreover, Muscat Aperitif is equally at home on the bar trolley. The wine has been designed for cocktail-making, allowing it to straddle several consumer segments (not to mention the alcoholic omnivores). De Bortoli is helping to inspire drinkers by devising its own cocktails showcasing the new release.
For the cocktail novice, there are simple suggestions, such as a spritz of Muscat Aperitif topped with Prosecco, or a serve with a dash of lime juice and soda. Yet it makes the case for more complex wine-based cocktails too. The Jungle Muscat, for instance, combines it with bitter aperitif, lime juice and homemade spiced pineapple syrup. The the Muscat Mint Royale, meanwhile, relies on a complex blend of Muscat, ginger, mint, lime and maraschino.
Moreover, sitting at 16% ABV, Muscat Aperitif is less than half the strength of the equivalent spirits it replaces. As more drinkers moderate their consumption over the course of a night, it offers a notably less boozy cocktail fix.
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