Media Release, January 2025
For over 150 years, Rutherglen has been celebrated as the heart of Australia’s finest Muscats. Nestled in one of the country’s oldest and most renowned wine regions, Rutherglen’s sun-soaked vineyards have consistently produced wines known for their lush, rich flavours. The region’s unique terroir and microclimates lend Rutherglen Muscats their distinctive complexity, depth, and indulgent character - a legacy that has stood the test of time.
Today, this pioneering spirit of Rutherglen is experiencing a renaissance. De Bortoli Wines is ushering in a new era of Rutherglen Muscat with its latest release, the Muscat Aperitif - a lighter, more contemporary take on this iconic wine. Trendy, approachable, and versatile, the Muscat Aperitif breathes fresh life into this heritage, embracing tradition with an innovative twist.
“At De Bortoli, we wanted to create something that redefines the way people see Muscat,” says Marc Scalzo, Chief Winemaker of De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate. “By blending fruit at different stages of ripeness, we’ve crafted a wine that’s vibrant and fresh, but still carries the depth and character that Rutherglen Muscat is known for. It balances honeyed sweetness with delicate hints of peach, rose water, and orange blossom, offering a profile that is both complex yet refined, and quirky enough to add personality to any mixed drink or cocktail.”
On the nose, the Muscat Aperitif offers floral bursts of rose water, complemented by subtle hints of anise and fresh ginger. On the palate, delicate quince notes lead into a refreshingly bitter finish that lingers, inviting you to take another sip.
What truly sets the Muscat Aperitif apart is its versatility. Chilled, over ice, or mixed into cocktails, it effortlessly complements any occasion. The Muscat Spritz is a prime example of its potential - a delicious cocktail that requires just two ingredients: the Muscat Aperitif and a sparkling white wine. Its vibrant flavours shine in this simple yet elegant drink, highlighting its ability to pair seamlessly with other ingredients.
At the heart of this wine lies the skill and artistry of De Bortoli’s winemaking team, who have masterfully combined innovation with the time-honoured heritage of Rutherglen’s storied Muscats. The result is a wine that bridges the gap between tradition and modernity, inviting wine lovers to discover Muscat in a whole new light.
For more wine cocktail ideas using our Muscat Aperitif, head over to our website to enhance your Muscat experience.
REGION: Rutherglen, Australia
WINEMAKER: Marc Scalzo
VINEYARD: Our Muscat is grown at the De Bortoli Melville’s vineyard on the eastern edge of the Rutherglen region. The site is west facing to maximise heat accumulation which produces Muscat of intensity and concentration with strong varietal definition and flavours.
TASTING NOTE: The nose is a floral bomb, think rosewater but spicier with hints of anise and fresh ginger. The bright fresh Muscat takes your taste buds on a journey, from delicate Turkish delight through quince, cruising home to a refreshingly bitter finish. Refreshing enough for an afternoon aperitivo, quirky enough to add personality to any mixed drink or cocktail.
WINEMAKING: This wine is a product of blending differing styles of fortified Muscats which has resulted in a wine with freshness, complexity and balance. Some parcels were picked at lower sugar levels and fermented with an aromatic yeast before fortifying. This wine was stored in stainless steel tanks to help retain its freshness and rose water aromas. Other parcels were left to concentrate and raisin on the vines before picking. The grapes were left on skins to soak up all of the luscious sugars before pressing, briefly fermenting and fortifying. Matured in old oak, this wine is a result of careful blending to produce a wine with freshness and complexity which can be enjoyed chilled on its own, over ice or as part of your favourite refreshing cocktail.
WINE ANALYSIS: Alc/Vol: 16.0%, pH: 4.02, TA: 3.65g/L
CELLARING: Drink now & enjoy!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Vegan, Vegetarian
RRP: $27.95
-ENDS-
Media Contact: Kruti Shetty
kruti_shetty@debortoli.com.au
About De Bortoli
De Bortoli Wines is a family wine company established in 1928, and today is under the custodianship of the third generation, Darren, Leanne, Kevin and Victor De Bortoli. Theirs is a story of a hardworking and innovative family who considered good wine, good food and good friends to be part of everyday life. De Bortoli's philosophy is that great wine begins in the vineyard and should reflect the region where the grapes that made it are grown. For further information: debortoli.com.au
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