2008 Mendocino County La Vida Dulce Orange Muscat 'Port'– $28
Vineyard Location: Ukiah Valley
Harvest Date: September 2008
Alcohol: 13.9%
pH: 3.98
TA: 0.46
Residual Sugar: 14.3 %
Cooperage: 100% Stainless steel
Quantity Produced: 69 Cases
Winemaker's Comments
Living “La Vida Dulce” literally translates to “The Sweet Life.” This Spanish phrase has been popularly used for a long time to say you are content with life. This feeling is conveyed in our ‘port’ style Orange Muscat. We fortified a small batch of our Mendocino County Orange Muscat with a neutral spirit in order to stop the fermentation. This lighter style port displays aromas of dried tangerine, ripe apricot and honey. The palate is an explosion of apricot jam, tropical orange and zesty peach. The smooth finish leaves a lingering honey, dried pineapple and apricot. For a truly magical and tropical pairing that compliments the wine and the dish, try with a pineapple crème brulee.
Muscat
The Muscat grape is the world's oldest known grape variety. It probably originated in Greece but maybe the independent sultanate of Muscat in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula had something to do with it. Over 200 different varieties and derivatives to the Muscat family exist today. The most commonly known varieties of muscat grapes are: Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (also called Muscat Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Muscat Frontignan, Moscato Bianco, Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat d'Alsace, Muskateller, Muscatel de Grano Menudo, and Moscatel Rosé). Muscat of is used for sherry (and is one of only three permitted grape varieties to be used in a true Sherry. Orange Muscat used for some wines in California. Muscat is the only grape to produce wine with the same aroma as the grape itself. Sweet fortified Muscats have a classic rich, nose of dried fruits, raisins and oranges. This strong perfume prompted the Roman author Pliny, in his "Natural History," to declare it "the grape of the bees." The French noted the grape's musky character and called it "Musqué," The vine itself is very vigorous but low yielding with medium size very dark green leaves. Bunches are medium sized, cylindrical in shape and elongated, very much like a chardonnay bunch. Muscat grapes range from white to almost black in color.
Preferred Pricing
1 - 2 cases: 10% off,
3 - 5 cases: 15% off,
6 + cases: 20% off
(does not apply to Library & Reserve wines).
Mixed cases allowed. Wine club members are given an additional 5% off on all purchases.
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