2007 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Dessert White

2007 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance

Type of Wine	Dessert White : In the minds of many wine lovers, no food pairing matches the appeal of a dessert and an appropriate dessert wine. For those of us with a pronounced sweet tooth, dessert whites come in many shapes, sizes, and, most importantly, varietals. Whether you're dealing with an Austrian Pinot Blanc or a sweet German Riesling, it's hard to resist for long.
Varietal	Muscat : One of the most ubiquitous names in the world of wine is Muscat, or Moscato. It is globally recognized and celebrated by winegrowers and consumers alike. On the surface, it might seem simple, but given a closer look, Muscat may be the Rubik’s cube of grapes… or family of grapes. Muscat is not a single grape but a family of cultivars, ranging from the small but classy Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains to the productive Muscat of Alexandria and Muscat of Hamburg to the central European staple, Muscat Ottonel. It is one of the oldest and most widespread grape families in the world. Muscat may not be thought of as one of the great international classics, but its history is many times longer than that of such newcomers as Cabernet Sauvignon, for example. Muscat’s lineage dates back thousands of years and is thought to have originated in ancient Greece. It is one of the most complex categories of grape the world has to offer. As one might expect, the variety is particularly diverse and ramified. Ampelographers have discovered and documented almost 200 varieties of Muscat being cultivated today. It is grown in nearly every winegrowing region on Earth and has many different names, depending on its place of cultivation. Muscat is known as Moscato in Italy, Moscatel in Spain and Gelbermuskateller in Germany, among others. Given the diversity of Muscat, it is difficult to distinguish physical appearance, preferred terroir and amenable climes. The family of grapes is well traveled and has adapted well to different growing conditions making it incredibly widespread. The most generalized description of Muscat wine is that it possess aromas of sweet Meyer Lemon, Mandarin orange, ripe pear, orange blossom and honeysuckle. Its aromatic profile is perhaps one of its hallmark characteristics. There are, of course, a myriad of describing qualities, characteristics and styles, but the most popular may be that of the Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains variety, also known as Moscato Bianco. Considered the finest of the Muscat family and found everywhere, from the sweet, sparkling wines of Moscato d’Asti to the heady, fortified Vin Doux Naturels of Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise. These noble Muscat grapes are small, pale yellow-skinned berries and produce wines that generally have heady tangerine, mango, lychee, jasmine, beach rose and orange blossom notes. On the palate, expect those same tropical fruit notes with zesty orange and sweeter spiciness. The most famous example is the Moscato d’Asti style which is marketed and consumed world-wide. The more-hardy, loose-bunched Muscat of Alexandria with larger berries, good disease tolerance and an affinity for warmer climes is another variety found in nearly every winegrowing region around the world. The wine styles range from dry, sweet, sparkling and dessert. The variety is most often labeled simply as “Muscat.” It might be considered inferior to other varieties, but is easy to grow and easy to drink. Moscato Rosa on the other hand, is a dark-skinned grape of Italian origin producing rosy-hued wine. Its origins are obscure, with some sources claiming a Sicilian background while others point to its spread through Italy, Dalmatia and towards Greece as evidence of its ancient origins. As one would expect, the wine is produced into “pink” Moscato. Muscat of Hamburg, a similar variety, also known as Black Muscat is a dark-skinned variety which produces a light blush style with an interesting character. Muscat Ottonel is one of the younger members of the family and produces the palest wines (in terms of coloration) but is more resistant to colder climates and has become a staple in the Mediterranean. While the aromatics of the Muscat grape is a universal and remarkable characteristic, they are also unusual as grapes in that their flavor as a berry is mirrored by their flavor as a wine. As such, many clusters can be found gracing fruit bowls as well as wine glasses in growing areas. Malaga in Southern Spain is well-known for its production of dried, raisin-like Moscatel berries. The possibilities of Muscat are endless, found virtually everywhere on Earth and in nearly every style of wine. It has endeared itself to the world of wine and impresses with its antiquity and diversity.
Country	South Africa : With over 300 years of winemaking history, South Africa is often described as bridging the gap between the Old World and New. Most vintners, today, are using New World winemaking techniques but there are many ways in which the wines are stylistically similar to their Old World counterparts. In recent years, South African Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have become internationally popular, which has greatly contributed to an already prospering wine industry. From South Africa’s signature grape Pinotage (an indigenous crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault and rarely seen outside the country) to the legendary dessert wine Vin de Constance which brought world-wide recognition and fame during the 18th and 19th centuries, South African viticulture has become one of the most prominent wine regions in the world. With a vast array of climates and terroirs, the South African landscape offers an incredibly diverse portfolio of wine styles. From the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape to the Northern Cape’s barren, arid soils dominated by the Kalahari Desert, South African terroir is well suited to the varietals cultivated there. The Mediterranean climate also plays an important role and is significantly influenced by the meeting of Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country has 96,000 hectares under vine, of which 55 percent are cultivated to white grape varieties. Chenin Blanc is the country’s most planted grape with 18.5 percent of all grapes, followed by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and numerous other white varietals. Though the crisp, dry and refreshing white styles produced have dominated the recent wine market, Pinotage, Shiraz (Syrah), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also widely planted red grape varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are often found used together in “Bordeaux Blends.” Vines were first planted in South Africa in the 1650s by Dutch settlers, but it was not until French Huguenots arrived in the 1680,s bringing with them viticultural skills and knowledge, when the country would become a recognized wine producing region. Constantia is the oldest wine region, and also where the world famous Vin de Constance was first produced. Stellenbosch is just as recognizable as a wine producing region and graces many labels on the international wine market. Today, South Africa has garnered global recognition and is one of the most important wine producing countries in the world. Its annual wine output of 10.4 million hectoliters is an incredibly impressive accomplishment for a relatively “young,” New World wine producer, placing it 8th among all wine producing countries.
Region	South Africa