37.5cl Essensia Orange Muscat , Andrew Quady
Ref. 0786
In 1980 near Reedley, a town south of Fresno, California, Andrew Quady discovered a small planting of a little known grape variety, Orange Muscat. Those grapes became the first Essensia. In the warm climate of the central San Joaquin Valley, Orange Muscat develops a spicy orange-apricot flavor. ‘Essensia’ refers to the idea that the wine contains this essence. Essensia’s vibrant flavor makes it an excellent accompaniment to desserts, particularly chocolate and those containing almonds, peaches, apples, or apricots. It is also used for dipping biscotti, for moistening cakes, or for adding to trifles. With sparkling water, it makes a refreshing spritzer; with sparkling wine it makes Essensia royale. The Orange Muscat grapes are harvested at about 22 brix (% sugar) in early September, crushed, chilled and allowed to macerate. Wine spirits (grape distillate) are added to arrest the brief fermentation. The wine is aged for about 3 months in well used 60 gallon (mostly French oak) barrels.
- Colour: Pudding
- Grapes: Orange Muscat
- Vintage: 2008
- Closure: cork
- Alcohol: 15%
- Other info: Andrew Quady is the pre-eminent dessert wine producer in California at present. He had worked for several of the large Central Valley wine companies, producing many Californian `Port` style wines as well as dessert wines, before launching his own winery at Madera in the Cental Valley region in 1981. His two best wines are Essencia, which is made from Orange Muscat (named because the grapes have an orange-like aroma), and Elysium, which is made from Black Muscat. Winemaker Michael Blaylock is producing better wines than ever before - Bill Clinton is a big fan and these wines were served regularly at White House functions and banquets.
- Winery website: www.quadywinery.com
- Press: Bronze Medal Winner International Wine Challenge 2009, Silver Medal Best in Class International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009
£10.99
or £10.44 when purchasing any 12 mixed bottles.