WineRegionsOld WorldFranceRhoneSouth
To the south east of Rasteau below a picturesque cliff, the vineyard of Beaumes de Venise produces not only grenache; and the other vines giving excellent Cotes du Rhone, but also an extraordinary Muscat with small grapes. Heated by the sun on soft sandy soil held up by the terrace walls, it should have a natural 14% alcohol content before addition of alcohol, so as to be worthy of producing this remarkable sweet wine. Highly appreciated in the days of the popes, it suffered an eclipse owing to the difficulty of tending vines on these terraces and is reviving today thanks to the hard work and courage of the Beaumes de Venise growers. It should be drunk young and fresh to grasp all its subtle qualities for the taste of muscat tends to diminish with age.
Red and sweet wines produced only from the "Muscat a Petits Grains
grape"
Only 457 acres planted in the Vaucluse. Maximum yield is 28 ML/HA (about
128 cases per acre)
Late harvested grapes reach 15% natural alcohol. A mutage of 3-5% pure grape
alcohol is added after the fermentation stops.
By law this in never expected to be a "vintage" wine.