2018 Paul Aine Jaboulet Muscat Beaumes de Venise Le Chant des Griolles Dessert White

2018 Paul Aine Jaboulet Muscat Beaumes de Venise Le Chant des Griolles

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	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Rhone : While the Northern Rhone produces only about 5% of all wine coming out of the Rhone Valley, the quality of these bottles is not to be underestimated. The terroir in this region is heavenly for growing Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne or Rousanne - the only permitted grapes in the AOC. Picture this - the Rhone flows through the valley like an azure thread piercing the landscape, a reflection of the dreamy skies hovering above the vineyards, ready to produce rainfall at a moment's notice. The rocky soil of the steep, almost surreal hillsides provides a bountiful feast for the grapevine roots. The flavors and texture of Northern Rhone wines tell you everything you need to know as soon as your lips touch the elixir, like a whisper in the vigorous valley winds As per the Southern Rhone wine, it is like taking a plunge into a whirlpool of juicy flavor. Every sip explodes forward like a crashing tsunami, bathing your tastebuds in delicious aromas of prune, chocolate, grass, and black fruit. The wines are so compelling that it can be hard to drink them casually at a social event without getting lost in their intricate textures and emotional depths. Let's set sail together, and drink deep from these luxurious bottles with our friends and loved ones.