Muscat de Beaumes de Venise PDO

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, natural sweet wines from the Rhône Valley

Along with Rasteau AOC, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is the other natural sweet wine appellation in the Rhône Valley. Both are located in the Vaucluse, but while the former is made from Grenache, the latter is produced exclusively from Muscat à petits grains. This world-renowned white wine is distinguished by its beautiful aromatic persistence and freshness. Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is also available, more rarely, in red and rosé.

General presentation of Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

The AOC Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is produced north of the Vaucluse and Avignon, near Orange. It is located at the foot of the famous Dentelles de Montmirail, just like its prestigious neighbours, the Vacqueyras and Gigondas appellations. The appellation area represents about 500 hectares of vines, spread over the commune of Beaumes-de-Venise and a few parcels in Aubignan. The vineyard benefits from the protection of the Dentelles and from soils favourable to the cultivation of muscat à petits grains.

This natural sweet wine is thus composed exclusively of this grape variety, the muscat à petits grains, white or/and red. The white wines are the best known and most widespread. But you can also find Muscats de Beaumes-de-Venise in red and rosé, depending on the composition elaborated by the winegrower and the estate.

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise still has an excellent reputation, although it almost disappeared and was finally revived vigorously in the second half of the 20th century. It belongs to that tradition of sunny and generous wines of the Southern Rhône, those natural sweet wines known as "mutés", of which the Languedoc and Roussillon regions are also specialists.

The vineyard is located on the south-eastern slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail, mostly on terraces, the typical restanques of the region, whose dry stone walls enliven the landscape. Protected from the Mistral and benefiting from an ideal climate, the Muscat expresses all its qualities and gives Beaumes-de-Venise AOC its rich aromatic flavour.

Characteristics of Beaumes-de-Venise Muscat

Beaumes-de-Venise Muscat wines are defined by their elegance, their sweet and fruity aromatic flavours and their freshness. Their colour is most often brilliant and golden yellow, quite pale, sometimes with green or grey highlights. It can also be much deeper. When small-grained black Muscat is used, their colour varies from pink to amber or copper. It can also be purple when only this variety is used in the composition of the wine.

The nose is powerful; it generally evokes exotic fruits, citrus fruits, litchi and mango in the lead. Other fruits enrich these greedy aromas, such as peach and apricot. Flavours of honey and flowers such as rose also come into play, along with notes of lime blossom, grapes in brandy, candied fruit and mint.

These sweet, fruity wines are usually drunk young. However, some vintages can be aged for ten years or more for the best ones.

How to taste a Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

A Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise should be drunk chilled, at a temperature of between 6 and 9°. Traditionally, it is the perfect companion for festive aperitifs, when paired with foie gras. It is also an excellent dessert wine: crème brûlée, chocolate desserts, fresh fruit salads, fruit compote, caramelised apple pie, French toast... and melon.

This natural sweet wine is also a perfect accompaniment to dishes inspired by Moroccan or Asian cuisine. Sweet-salty or spicy dishes are sublimated by Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.

Finally, for original combinations, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise also accompanies a cheese platter, especially when it includes mild goat's cheese and blue cheese.