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Muscat de Rivesaltes

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Produced entirely in the departments of Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales, the Muscat de Rivesaltes is a naturally sweet wine that has enjoyed AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) status since 1956. The Muscat de Rivesaltes appellation d'origine contrôlée covers more than 90 communes in the Pyrénées-Orientales and nine communes in the Aude bordering the Pyrénées-Orientales department. It is bounded to the east by the Mediterranean Sea, to the south by Spain, and to the west by the foothills of the Canigou.

A diverse terroir nestled in the foothills of Spain and the Mediterranean

TheMuscat de Rivesaltes AOC covers nearly 99 municipalities in Languedoc-Roussillon, including 90 in the Pyrénées-Orientales department and only 9 in the Aude department. This location gives it the benefit of diverse terroirs with granite soils composed mainly of schist in the northwestern municipalities and clay-limestone subsoils in the Corbières area. But the terroirs of Collioure and from Banyuls also provide a good amount of silica.

The soils are composed of granitic and gneissic arenas:

- Brown and black shales

– in the Agly massif in the northwest and at the foot of the Albères mountains.

- Red clay-limestone soils of the Corbières foothills.

- Sandy clay soils in the Aspres region and stony terraces along the rivers.

The geographical location of the vineyard provides optimal sunshine, which allows for an attractive sugar content for the production of Muscat de RivesaltesSimilarly, the Tramontane wind that blows strongly over these vineyards helps to combat pests and fungi more effectively, allowing for a significant reduction in the use of pesticides and thus giving the grapes even more character.

Two grape varieties used to produce an exceptional Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC wine

The appellation produces natural sweet white wines made from Muscat à Petits Grains and Muscat d'Alexandrie grape varieties. Powerful and intense, Muscat d'Alexandrie gives body, aromas of ripe fruit, grape seeds, and rose. Delicate and fresh, Muscat à Petits Grains brings scents of exotic fruits, mint, and lemon.

The color and taste of Muscats de Rivesaltes vary depending on the proportion of each grape variety, the terroir, the winemaking process, and their age. Young Muscats are pale gold with aromas reminiscent of peach, lemon, mango, and mint. After a few years, their color takes on amber hues and their aromas evolve towards notes of honey and candied apricot. Muscat de Noël: The first Muscat de Rivesaltes of the year, obtained after tasting the wines from the last harvest. It is sold from the third Thursday in November until the end of January.

Muscat de Rivesaltes Red, rosé, or white: a matter of preference

What differentiates the color of theMuscat de Rivesaltes AOC lies in the ripening time of the grape pulp in contact with the red skin of the grape variety. The Red Muscats of Rivesaltes are quite powerful and allow for longer cellaring, resulting in more pronounced flavors. Choosing between them is really a matter of taste!

Traditionally served chilled, between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius, this is the temperature at which Muscat de Rivesaltes best reveals its flavor potential. Like all naturally sweet wines that are slightly syrupy and sugary, it pairs perfectly with a block of foie gras terrine or a chocolate dessert. It is also the perfect ally for chefs and sauce makers who use it to deglaze stocks and sauces. To enjoy a wonderful experience and discover the true qualities of Muscat de Rivesaltes, choose an exceptional vintage such as 2011, considered the vintage of the millennium. The 1985, 1987, 1995, 2006, and 2012 vintages are also benchmarks for quality.

More information on the website of Muscat de Rivesaltes