2021 Distinctive Small Lot Chardonnay Musque
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Silver Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards
Bronze Medal - International Wine Challenge, Ontario Wine Awards
Musqué is a French term applied to some clones or varieties of grapes that translates as "musky" or perfumed. As an adjective, musqué means aromatic. A few years ago, one of our best growers in Niagara-on-the-Lake planted the aromatic clone of Chardonnay, and his grapes are crafted into this award-winning wine. As an aromatic variety, Chardonnay Musqué stands on its own without the addition of oak.
Wine Specs
Vintage
2021
Varietal
Chardonnay Musque
Appellation
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake
Brix at Harvest
21.7°
Residual Sweetness
6.1 g/L
Alcohol %
13.5
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
This unoaked wine shows the fresh and fragrant aromas natural of the grape. With a combination of aromas and flavours of guava, papaya, white peach, apricot, grapefruit, tamarind, and notes of apple crumble. Its crisp and vibrant acidity produces a beautiful refreshing finish.
Best Serving Temperature: 6 to 9 C
Winemaker Notes
The grapes were harvested from a vineyard located in Niagara-on-the-Lake not far from the winery and less than a kilometre from Lake Ontario. The cooling effect of the lake enabled us to let the grapes hang to full flavour maturity, with a prolonged cool fermentation helping retain the desirable muscat-like aromas and flavours associated with this special clone. We selected yeast VL3 to bring out the purity of aroma with the fermentation halted to ensure the wine held a lash of true residual sweetness, followed by maturation was in stainless steel tank to allow the character of the grape to shine through. It was sterile filtered and bottled under screwcap to retain freshness and purity.
Food Pairing Notes
Food Pairing: the wine offers a sensation of sweetness with aromas and flavours of tropical fruits. That makes it a perfect match with Thai dishes, such as Mango Salad, Coconut Shrimp, lobster, and shellfish, which have a similar flavour profile.