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Muscat de Rivesaltes

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

A multi-faceted terroir nestled between the Spanish foothills and the Mediterranean Sea

L'AOC Muscat de Rivesaltes covers almost 99 communes in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, including 90 in the Pyrénées-Orientales département and only 9 in the Aude département. This position means that the region benefits from a wide variety of terroirs, with granitic soils composed largely of schist in the north-western communes and clay-limestone subsoils in the Corbières area. But the terroirs of Collioure and Banyuls also provide a good proportion of silica.

The soils are composed of granitic and gneissic arenes:

- Brown and black shales

- in the Agly massif to the north-west and at the foot of the Albères mountains.

- Red clay-limestone soils of the Corbières foothills.

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

The vineyard's geographical position provides optimum sunshine, which in turn produces a high sugar content for the production of Muscat de Rivesaltes. In the same way, the Tramontane wind which blows abundantly over these vines enables us to fight more effectively against parasites and fungi, which in turn means a considerable reduction in the use of phytosanitary products, bringing even more typicity to the grapes.

Two grape varieties for an exceptional Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC

The appellation produces vins doux naturels blancs from Muscat à Petits Grains and Muscat d'Alexandrie grapes. Powerful and intense, Muscat d'Alexandrie is full-bodied, with aromas of ripe fruit, grapes and rose. Fine and fresh, Muscat à petits grains brings aromas of exotic fruits, mint and lemon.

The color and taste of Muscats de Rivesaltes vary according to the proportion of each grape variety, terroir, vinification and 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 marketed from the third Thursday in November to the end of January.

Muscat de Rivesaltes Red, rosé or white: a question of affinity

What differentiates the color of theAOC Muscat de Rivesaltes lies in the ripening time of the grape pulp in contact with the red skin of the grape variety. The Muscats de Rivesaltes red are quite powerful and allow longer cellaring for more pronounced flavors. It's all a matter of taste!

Traditionally served chilled, between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius, Muscat de Rivesaltes is at its best at this temperature. Like all sweet, slightly syrupy vins doux naturels, it goes perfectly with a block of foie gras terrine or a chocolate dessert. It's also the perfect ally for chefs and sauciers, who use it to deglaze stocks and sauces. For the best sensations and to discover the true qualities of Muscat de Rivesaltes, choose an exceptional vintage, such as 2011, considered to be the vintage of the millennium. The 1985, 1987, 1995 or 2006 and 2012 vintages are also quality references.

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