Fortified Old Vine Muscat of Alexandria 2021

Rustenberg, fact sheet (rustenberg.co.za – linket fra rustenberg.co.za, hentet 2026-10-18): 2021 Rustenberg Fortified Old Vine Muscat of Alexandria – område: Calitzdorp; druer: Muscat of Alexandria; alkohol 16.5%. Wine of Origin ifølge arket: Single Vineyard, Wine of Origin Calitzdorp. Producentens noter (engelsk): Introduction: This wine has been made using a centuries-old process of fortifying grape juice in order to produce a sweet dessert- style wine. Planted in 1932 on the banks of the Nel’s river in the acclaimed sweet wine producing area of Calitzdorp, the single vineyard used to make this wine survived the many floods and droughts experienced in the area, diminishing in size over time. It was saved from being pulled out to make way for a peach orchard in 2020 and has been registered with the South African Old Vine Project. Ripe grapes are harvested, crushed and allowed skin contact before being pressed and the juice fortified with neutral grape spirit without any fermentation. The grape spirit preserves the natural flavours and sugar of the juice while ensuring that no fermentation can take place in the wine. This very stable sweet wine can be aged for many decades under ideal cellaring conditions and will become richer and more concentrated over time. Vintage: The 2021 vintage was produced with the challenges of COVID-19 ever present. The winter of 2020 started late after a warm autumn and was cold with plenty of rain. The cool and wet conditions extended well into spring, through summer and much of the harvest season. The result of these conditions was slow, steady, stress free vineyard growth and fruit development. White grape yields were lower than average due to the impact of the weather during critical stages in fruit development. The white wines from the vintage ripened two weeks later than in 2020 and achieved full ripeness at lower sugar levels; producing wines with lower alcohols, excellent acidity and brilliant flavour development.