Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, Domaine des Bernardins 2003
Muscat makes wines with such an abundance of flavours and aromas and with such appeal it is surprising that it does not seem to have the same standing in the UK as it does in other parts of the world. The aromas are overt and complex – marmalade, honey, orange peel and apricots to name a few and on the palate the texture is rich and full but not cloying. The acidity balances well so that the wine can accompany desserts, fruit, blue cheese, pâté or as an apèritif.
Price per bottle £14.50
Wine type Still White Country France Region Rhône Drink before end 2010 Vintage 2003 Grape Muscat à Petits Grains Ideal food Banoffee Pie Bottle size 75cl Code 310551
Domaine de la Bernardins The house and cellars of Mme Castaud-Maurin’s lovely property are in the village of Beaumes de Venise itself, while the 17 hectares of Muscat à Petits Grains, 25% of which are ‘noirs’ are on the lower slopes of the Mont de Ventoux. The vineyards are low yielding at only 30 hl/ha, the grapes are entirely handpicked and the wine is tank fermented. The wine is deliciously typical of the area but the added black Muscat gives the wine a lovely, almost orange hue in the glass.