We've all eaten Black Muscat or Muscat of Hamburg table grapes at some stage. Large, round, fleshy, sweet and delicious. There are some examples of it floating around as the basis of fortified wines but here the variety is used uncommonly and intriguingly, to make a salmon pink sparkling wine. As a background, the variety is a black-skinned Vitis vinifera grape variety of the ancient Muscat family. It appears to be the progeny of Schiava Grossa and Muscat of Alexandria from mainland Europe possibly Germany, the home of the hybrids and is said to have been introduced into England at around 1720 although there is conjecture that it actually originated there.
Ballabourneen Wine Co. the makers of this unique drop, is a joint venture between Alex Stuart OAM and Daniel Binet and is situated at Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley. Grapes are sourced locally from some of the Hunter's best vineyards with new cellar door facilities opening in May.
There are very prominent Turkish delight aromatics on
the nose and body with strawberry and grapey nuances in the background. Lightly
textured demi-sec spritzy wine. There is an appealing soft, creamy mouthfeel of rose and strawberry with effervescent beads that lead to a tart-like finish. Fun and flirtatious drink now wine. It was excellent as an appetiser and could also be a dessert accompaniment. Very Good.
N.B. This is one of those varieties that literally has dozens of synonyms.
N.B. This is one of those varieties that literally has dozens of synonyms.
Source: Sample courtesy of Ballabourneen Wine Co. ABV: 10.0%. Closure: Cork.
Price: $26.00. Rating: 89 Points. Website: https://www.ballabourneen.com.au
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