Domaine Piétri-Géraud, Muscat de Rivesaltes 2019

Muscat de Rivesaltes is a natural sweet wine with a controlled designation of origin produced in 89 communes of the Pyrénées Orientales, right in the south of France, at the border with Spain. It can be made from 2 grape varieties: Muscat Petit Grain and Muscat d’Alexandria. The former, often called Muscat Blanc or Muscat de Rivesaltes, is trickier to grow, preferring cool, calcareous soils. Fine and fresh, Muscat à petits grains brings aromas of exotic fruits, mint and lemon. The second, also known as Roman Muscat, is later and very resistant to drought. Powerful and intense, Muscat d’Alexandrie gives fullness, aromas of ripe fruit, grapes and rose.

Notes of fresh fruit, lemon, mandarin and grapefruit emerge on the nose leading to more exotic flavours of pineapple and mango on the palate, which is silky and smooth, medium-rich and excellently balanced.

Perfect as an aperitif, it is a superb wine to accompany desserts, especially fruit tarts, sorbets, ice creams, nougat and marzipan or really, really good cheeses – Roquefort is a must!

The oldest form called “Ribesalta” dates back to 1103. It comes from two Latin words “ripa” (shore) and “alta” (high). It is vinified either by direct pressing or a very lengthy maceration. It must be stored in a vessel that allows for natural reduction to avoid oxidation of the primary flavours. It’s a ridiculously complex method to produce wine, but the proof is in this really delicious and surprisingly elegant glass of really fine wine.