Jeff’s Corner

Today, we’re going to talk about the endangered and elusive Muskrat Canary, a very strange species of Muskrat found only on the Canary Islands. It has bright yellow fur, and is easily the most beautiful species of muskrat known to humanity.

This was my third trip to the Canary Islands, and I was really hoping to finally bag one. My adrenaline soared when I spotted a real beauty resting peacefully by the creek. I raised my Canon to shoot when, ay caramba, I realized I was a wine and food writer and not a wildlife writer.

So, instead we are going to talk about the not-so-elusive (but very delicious) 2018 GCV Muscat Canelli. All joking aside, this is a serious wine that deserves to be taken very seriously. I wish all our GCV dry white wine drinkers would at least give it (and our Riesling) a taste.

Last Wednesday, I gathered the tasting room staff together before work and coerced them (not to hard to do) to try it. The consensus was “ I never dreamed it would be this good”.

Here we go. With our new Muscat, Jason continues his trend of decreasing the residual sugar in his sweet wines; the’18 is 1.8% compared to 2.8% in the 2017 (when I came to Grape Creek in 2009, it was well over 5%). The ABV is 12.1%. There is very little color, with a brilliant, clear rim and a delicate pale yellow hue in the bowl.

This wine exhibits classic varietal aromas, with a spicy muskiness dominated by orange zest, lemon-lime, and apricot layered with hints of rosewater, honeysuckle, and gardenia. All this is all supported by an undercurrent of butterscotch and slightly burnt caramel.

The ‘18 is a very complex and expressive wine; every sip changes and reveals new secrets. The palate is subtle and delicate like the nose; with a brisk acidity that is well-integrated with the fruit. The finish is clean and crisp, and a cold serving temp of about 45* is just about perfect.

Muscat Canelli is a wonderful wine to pair with cheese. An off dry style such as ours would be great with Brick, Havarti, Edam, and Gruyere. Gorgonzola and Muscat, however, may be one of the most ethereal cheese and wine pairing ever. Check it out.

Cheers, everyone!