Local muscadel scores international gold
Monis, one of the oldest names in fortified wines in South Africa, has made the cut once again as a foremost producer of muscadel in the world, with its 2001 vintage securing a gold medal and top 10 ranking at the 2008 Muscats du Monde competition held in France recently.
The only South African producer to win a gold medal at this prestigious wine competition, the wood matured Monis Vintage Muscadel 2001 was one of 19 wines out of 197 wines from 24 leading wine producing countries, including Portugal, Spain, Australia, France, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, to clinch a gold medal.
Striking gold is nothing new for cellarmaster, Dirkie Christowitz, whose previous vintage, the Monis Vintage Muscadel 2000, also won a gold medal at last year's Muscats du Monde. This vintage also excelled on home turf with a double gold Veritas medal and a South African Muscadel Association Platinum award.
Monis Vintage Muscadel 2001 is a full sweet wine made of red muscadel grapes selected from the Breede River Valley. Maturation in 500-litre old French oak barrels for five years give this muscadel its complexity and rich tones. It has a warm topaz colour with a reddish hue and has a very complex nose with strong Muscat, raisins, Christmas cake, cinnamon, marzipan and subtle citrus flavours.
This prized muscadel is due for release in 2009.
