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Mutage

Mutage is a technique for making sweet wines. It involves addition of alcohol to the must so that the fermentation process is prematurely stopped. Most yeasts die when the alcohol is 13–15%. By stopping the fermentation of sugars, a sweet wine is achieved.

This technique is used to make port wine and other sweet wines with high alcohol content.

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Vin Doux Naturel (France)

Vins Doux Naturels (VDN) are French fortified wines.

White wines from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains or Muscat of Alexandria grapes include:

• Muscat de Rivesaltes (Roussillon)
• Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise (Rhône Valley)

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Moscatel in Portugal and Spain

Examples include:

• Moscatel de Alejandra (Spain)
• Moscatel de Setúbal (Portugal)

These wines are rich, sweet, and intensely aromatic.

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Rutherglen (Australia)

Rutherglen Muscat and Rutherglen Topaque are fortified sweet wines from the Rutherglen wine region in Victoria, Australia.

They are both highly regarded for their unique production methods and deep, complex flavors.

Both wines are celebrated for their ability to age gracefully in barrel, producing a rich, concentrated experience. They are enjoyed as dessert wines and pair well with blue cheeses, chocolate desserts, or as a delightful sipper on their own.

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Rutherglen Muscat

• Primarily made from Muscat à Petits Grains Rouge grapes (aka Brown Muscat).

• The grapes are harvested very ripe, then fortified with grape spirit, which stops fermentation and retains natural sugars. The wine is aged in a warm, oxidative environment, which develops its intense, layered flavors.

• Known for its rich, intense sweetness with notes of raisin, caramel, toffee, and dried fruits, alongside hints of spice and nuts. It often has a floral character due to the Muscat grape’s aromatic profile.

• Appearance: Dark amber to mahogany, with older Muscats being darker.

Rutherglen Muscat Classifications

Rutherglen Muscat is classified in stages. Each level represents more time in barrel.

• Rutherglen Muscat (age 3-5 years).
  Light and subtle richness with distinctive raisin flavour.
  180-240 grams sugar per litre.

• Classic Rutherglen Muscat (age 6-10 years).
  Rich and complex flavour with hints of spice and wood-aged characters.
  200-280 grams sugar per litre.

• Grand Rutherglen Muscat (age 11- 19 years).
  Intense depth of flavour with dark chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, fruit cake, caramel and butterscotch.
  270-400 grams sugar per litre.

• Rare Rutherglen Muscat (age 20+ years).
  Equally complex and intense with notes of dried fruit notes, sweet spice, caramel, nuts, and butterscotch.
  270-400 grams sugar per litre.

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Rutherglen Topaque

• Made from Muscadelle grapes, historically referred to as "Tokay" in Australia.

• Similar production process as Muscat. Topaque grapes are harvested at high ripeness, fortified to retain sweetness, and aged in a warm, oxidative setting that enhances complexity.

• Topaque tends to be slightly lighter than Muscat but still rich and complex. It exhibits flavors of honey, toffee, malt, tea leaf, and a more subdued floral note. Over time, it develops characteristics of butterscotch, caramel, and roasted nuts.

• Aging & Classification: Like Muscat, Rutherglen Topaque is categorized as Rutherglen, Classic, Grand, or Rare, with increasing intensity and concentration in each level.

• Appearance: A lighter amber to golden-brown color, becoming darker and richer with age.