Vintage Muscat de Rivesaltes: The Refined Sweetness of Roussillon
Forget the simple aperitif muscat: discover our vintage Muscats de Rivesaltes, deep and refined. Aromas of honey, dried fruits, and spices for unforgettable tasting moments.
Vintage Muscat de Rivesaltes: The Refined Sweetness of Roussillon
Muscat de Rivesaltes is one of the great treasures of Roussillon: a natural sweet wine made from muscat grapes, appreciated for its aromatic freshness and complexity. But here at Vinodelice, we offer much more than an aperitif muscat: a rare collection of aged Muscats, mainly from Mas Juliette, the estate of Bruno Cazes. Vintages refined by time, revealing a deeper and more sophisticated side of this emblematic appellation.
What is Muscat de Rivesaltes?
Granted Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status in 1956, Muscat de Rivesaltes is made from Muscat of Alexandria and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. The wine is fortified during fermentation to preserve its natural sugars and aromatic richness.
Unlike the youthful, explosive Muscats de Noël, our aged Muscats develop a more complex palette, where floral notes merge into hints of honey, dried fruits, and spices.
The Style of Aged Muscats
As it ages, Muscat de Rivesaltes takes on an amber hue with golden highlights. Its aromas evolve towards:
- Honey, candied orange, and dried apricot,
- Dried fruits such as almond and hazelnut,
- More complex notes of caramel, coffee, and a light rancio.
On the palate, it offers a subtle balance between sweetness and freshness, supported by a persistent finish.
Our Muscats de Rivesaltes
Our collection highlights rare and expressive cuvées, selected by Bruno Cazes:
- Muscat de Rivesaltes 2001 Domaine Cazes: a muscat refined by over 20 years, rich and elegant, perfect for wine lovers seeking meditation wines.
- Muscat de Rivesaltes 2017 Juliette: youth and freshness, with vibrant aromas of exotic fruits and white flowers.
- Muscat de Rivesaltes 2014 Juliette already more complex, blending indulgence and finesse, ideal to
discover the aging potential of the appellation.
Food and Wine Pairings
Aged Muscat de Rivesaltes is a versatile wine that pairs elegantly:
- With pan-seared or semi-cooked foie gras, for a suave and refined match.
- With fruity or caramelized desserts: apricot tart, crème brûlée, walnut tarte tatin.
- With blue cheeses such as Roquefort or Stilton.
- As a meditation wine, to be savored alone and enjoyed for its aromatic depth.
Another Side of Muscat de Rivesaltes
Muscat de Rivesaltes is not just a festive aperitif wine: when aged, it becomes a wine of great class, with impressive cellaring potential. Discover our collection signed by Bruno Cazes, and let yourself be seduced by these rare cuvées that combine freshness and complexity.
FAQ – Everything You Need to Know About Muscat de Rivesaltes
What is Muscat de Rivesaltes?
Muscat de Rivesaltes is a natural sweet wine from Roussillon, made from Muscat of Alexandria and Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. Fortified during fermentation, it retains natural sweetness and intense aromas of fruit and flowers.
What is the difference between Muscat de Rivesaltes and Muscat de Noël?
Muscat de Noël is a young version of Muscat de Rivesaltes, released as early as November following the harvest, with explosive aromas of fresh fruit and flowers. Aged Muscats, like the ones we offer, develop more complex notes of honey, dried fruits, and spices.
What aromas are found in an aged Muscat de Rivesaltes?
With age, Muscat de Rivesaltes evolves towards amber nuances and offers a rich palette: honey, candied orange, dried apricot, dried fruits, caramel, coffee, and sometimes a touch of rancio.
How long can Muscat de Rivesaltes be stored?
An aged Muscat de Rivesaltes can be kept for several decades without losing its aromatic freshness. Our vintages such as Muscat de Rivesaltes 2001 Domaine Cazes are proof of this.
Which dishes pair well with Muscat de Rivesaltes?
It pairs perfectly with foie gras, fruity desserts (apricots, pears, citrus), caramelized pastries (tarte tatin, crème brûlée), and blue cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton). It is also an ideal wine for meditation.
How much does a Muscat de Rivesaltes cost?
The price varies according to the vintage and aging. Expect €30 to €40 for a recent vintage, and €80 or more for older, rarer, and more complex Muscats.
Where can you buy Muscat de Rivesaltes?
You may find some Muscats at specialized wine shops, but older vintages are rare. At Vinodelice, we offer a unique selection, with rare vintages mainly from Mas Juliette by Bruno Cazes.
