Apart from the sparkling wines of Clairette de Die, this is the only part of the Rhône which uses Muscat, and yet it provides the most elegant, sweet fortified Muscats in the world. Little sweet Muscat was made before 1945 when Muscat de Beaumes de Venise was classified as an AOC, but by the 1970s and 1980s its popularity in northern Europe was probably greater than Sauternes or sweet German wines.
Learn more about Muscat de Beaumes de VeniseRead more
Apart from the sparkling wines of Clairette de Die, this is the only part of the Rhône which uses Muscat, and yet it provides the most elegant, sweet fortified Muscats in the world. Little sweet Muscat was made before 1945 when Muscat de Beaumes de Venise was classified an AOC for its Vin Doux Naturel, but by the 1970s and 1980s its popularity in northern Europe was probably greater than Sauternes or sweet German wines.
Despite its minimum 15 percent alcohol, low acidity and intense sweetness, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise is surprisingly delicate and refreshing with a lovely floral fragrance and sweet, pale-gold, grapey fruit. Made exclusively from the best variety, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, it is created by adding pure grape spirit to the must when it has reached five percent alcohol.
It should be drunk as young as possible, lightly chilled, either as an apéritif, with or after dessert (where it makes a very good match for ice-cream). The region also has an AOC for its reds, which are classified as Beaumes de Venise.
Recommended producer: Domaine de Durban
