Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

What it is

The Venise in the name is the Comtat Venaissin, the papal territory around Avignon, not the Italian city; the appellation was recognised in 1945 and remains the Rhône valley's only vin doux naturel. It is made to keep air out rather than let it in, so the grape's own terpenes — rose, lychee, orange flower — survive into the glass.

In the kitchen

Never boil it: those terpenes are volatile and the first minute of heat takes them. Spoon it cold over melon, or fold it into a sabayon once the pan is off the flame.

Goes with

Cantaloupe melon Peach Apricot Lychee Raspberry Egg

Same species

Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale DOP Amontillado Armagnac Banyuls Brandy de Jerez Champagne vinegar

Also used with

Clary sage Darjeeling tea

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