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 held AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) status since 1956. The Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC covers more than 90 municipalities in the Pyrénées-Orientales department and nine municipalities in the Aude department bordering the Pyrénées-Orientales. It is bounded to the east by the Mediterranean Sea, to the south by Spain, and to the west by the foothills of Mount Canigou.

A diverse terroir nestled between the Spanish foothills and the Mediterranean

TheAOC Muscat de Rivesaltes It covers nearly 99 municipalities in Languedoc-Roussillon, 90 of which are located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department and only 9 in the Aude department. This geographical position allows it to benefit from diverse terroirs, featuring granitic soils composed largely of schist in the northwestern municipalities and clay-limestone subsoils in the Corbières region. But the terroirs of Collioure and Banyuls also provide a significant amount of silica.

The soils consist of granitic and gneissic sands:

- Brown and black shale

– in the Agly mountain range to the northwest and at the foot of the Albères.

- Red clay-limestone soils in the foothills of the Corbières.

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

The vineyard's location ensures optimal sunlight exposure, which helps achieve a sugar content suitable for the production of Muscat de Rivesaltes. Similarly, the Tramontane wind, which blows strongly over these vineyards, helps combat pests and fungi more effectively, allowing for a significant reduction in the use of pesticides and thereby lending the grapes even more distinctive character.

Two grape varieties that make for an exceptional Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC

The appellation produces natural sweet white wines made from the Muscat à Petits Grains and Muscat d’Alexandrie grape varieties. Powerful and intense, the Muscat d’Alexandrie offers a full-bodied profile with aromas of ripe fruit, grape seeds, and roses. Delicate and fresh, the Muscat à Petits Grains offers notes of exotic fruit, mint, and lemon.

The color and flavor of Muscat de Rivesaltes wines vary depending on the blend of grape varieties, the terroir, the winemaking process, and their age. Young Muscats are pale gold in color, with aromas reminiscent of peach, lemon, mango, and mint. After a few years, their color takes on amber hues and their aromas evolve into notes of honey and candied apricot. Muscat de Noël: The first Muscat de Rivesaltes of the year, produced after tasting the wines from the previous harvest. It is available from the third Thursday in November through the end of January.

Muscat de Rivesaltes: red, rosé, or white—it’s all a matter of preference

What distinguishes the color of theAOC Muscat de Rivesaltes lies in the time it takes for the grape pulp to ripen in contact with the red skin of the grape variety. The Red Muscat de Rivesaltes are quite potent and allow for longer aging in the cellar, resulting in more pronounced flavors. It really comes down to personal preference!

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

For more information, visit the website at Muscat de Rivesaltes