Muscat in Rutherglen
Muscat Grapes ready for Harvest
MUSCATS IN RUTHERGLEN ARE CLASSIFIED UNDER FOUR DESCRIPTIONS THAT MARK A PROGRESSION IN RICHNESS, COMPLEXITY AND INTENSITY IN FLAVOUR.
RUTHERGLEN MUSCAT
(Rutherglen Classification)
OLD VINE MUSCAT
(Classic Classification)
GRAND MUSCAT
(Grand Classification)
RARE MUSCAT
(Rare Classification)
The ageing process
varies from winery to winery, but most employ a
modified SOLERA SYSTEM
(a graduated ageing process where wine is transferred slowly from barrel to barrel over a number of years before finally being bottled) and BLENDS
ALTHOUGH AGE IS ONLY ONE FACTOR IN DETERMINING A WINE’S CLASSIFICATION, IT DOES PROVIDE SOME CLUE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE GRAND & RARE WINES.
Rutherglen Muscat
Rutherglen Muscat – is the foundation of the style; displaying the fresh raisin aromas, rich fruit, clean spirit and great length of flavour on the palate which are the mark of all the Muscats of Rutherglen. Average age 3-5 years. Residual sweetness 180-240 grams per litre.
CHAMBERS RUTHERGLEN MUSCAT - 3 to 7year BLENDS
Classic Muscat
Classic Rutherglen Muscat – displays a greater level of richness and complexity, produced through the blending of selected parcels of wine, often matured in various sizes of oak cask to impart the distinctive dry ‘rancio’ characters produced from maturation in seasoned wood. Average age 6-10 years. Residual sweetness 200-280 grams per litre.
CHAMBERS (Classic) ‘OLD VINE’ MUSCAT - ORIGINAL BASES FROM EARLY 2000’S
Grand Muscat
Grand Rutherglen Muscat – takes the flavour of Rutherglen Muscat to a still higher plane of development, displaying a new level of intensity, depth and concentration of flavour, mature rancio characters, and a complexity which imparts layers of texture and flavour. Average age 11-19 years. Residual sweetness 270-400 grams per litre.
CHAMBERS GRAND MUSCAT - ORIGINAL BASES FROM EARLY 1930’S
Rare Muscat
Rare Rutherglen Muscat – is rare by name and by nature. These are the pinnacle Rutherglen Muscats – fully developed and displaying the extraordinary qualities that result from the blending of selected parcels of only the very richest, and most complete wines in the cellar. Rare Rutherglen Muscats are only bottled in tiny quantities each year, but for those privileged to taste them, these are wines of breathtaking complexity, texture and depth of flavour. Minimum age 20+ years. Residual sweetness 270-400 grams per litre.
CHAMBERS RARE MUSCAT - ORIGINAL BASES FROM EARLY 1890’s & 1900’s
