Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise — The Rhône's Golden Sweet Wine

Muscat cultivation in the Beaumes-de-Venise hills dates to the 13th century, when the region was under Papal influence (the Avignon Papacy, 1309–1377, was centred nearby and papal tables valued the region's sweet wines). The AOC was established in 1943.

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise AOC is the Rhône Valley's most celebrated Vin Doux Naturel — a naturally sweet, fortified wine produced from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat à Petits Grains Rouges on the limestone and clay soils of the Dentelles de Montmirail hills in the southern Rhône. The wine is the textbook expression of Muscat's floral aromatic character: orange blossom, peach, apricot, rose petal, and honey in a wine of golden colour, 15% ABV (achieved through mutage), moderate sweetness (approximately 100 g/L residual sugar), and brilliant acidity that prevents the richness from becoming cloying. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise was arguably the wine that introduced a generation of wine drinkers to dessert wine — it was fashionable in British wine culture throughout the 1980s and 1990s as a dessert wine alternative. Domaine Durban, Paul Jaboulet Aîné's Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, and Cave de Beaumes-de-Venise represent the quality producers.

FOOD PAIRING: Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise's floral sweetness pairs beautifully with fruit-based desserts and spiced dishes from the Provenance 1000 recipes: Strawberry Tart with Vanilla Crème Pâtissière (the floral resonance is remarkable), Peach Melba, Crème Brûlée, Macarons, Fresh Fruit Salad. Savoury: Foie Gras Torchon, Thai Green Curry (the sweetness bridges spice), Moroccan Pastilla (the sweet-savoury combination). Cheese: Roquefort (classic sweet wine and blue cheese).