WSET D5 Fortified Wine | Questions with Correct Answers and
Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
,Q: What can be said about old vines in Rutherglen?
Answer:
These old vines are said to produce bunches of smaller grapes with a higher skin to
juice ratio, which can produce deeper coloured, more concentrated wines. The
proportion of old vine fruit used can be an element of house style. Why are grapes
left on the skins for a bit before pressing (Rutherglen)? When picked, Muscat grapes
are partly shrivelled making it hard to extract the dense juice through pressing
immediately. Crushed Muscat grapes therefore ferment briefly on their skins to break
down the pulp and release sugar and flavours. Enzymes may be added to the juice
and various cap management techniques (punching down, pumping over, rotary
fermenters) employed to aid extraction. At which ABV are Rutherglen Muscats
fortified At 1-2% ABV to retain Muscat aromas. Fortified with neutral grape spirit of
at least 96% to 17.5% What happens before bottling and after fermentation in
Rutherglen? The wines are clarified by racking off lees or by light filtration.
Winemakers may now make adjustments to pH and perform light fining for protein
stability. The aim is to avoid deposits that might cause off- flavours during
maturation. How are Rutherglen Muscats matured? The wines are matured in very
old oak vessels, often in warm conditions, in warehouses with tin roofs, which
become hot in the summer WHat can be said about the location of the barrels in a
typical tin roofed warehouse? The positioning of barrels is important; those nearer
the top of stacks are subjected to warmer temperatures and mature more quickly.
Some producers also have sections of their warehouse facilities that are insulated to
retain more-even, cooler temperatures throughout the year, which generally slows the
maturation and can be used to retain greater freshness.
,Q: What kind of oak vessels are used for Rutherglen maturation?
Answer:
The vessels consist of large round or oval casks of the capacity of 1,300 to 9,000
litres and smaller barrels of 180 to 500 L. Small vessels promote greater
concentration through evaporation, more oxidation and generally a quicker
maturation. The wood is often very old as the flavours and tannins from new oak are
not wanted in these wines. What impacts the speed of oxidation? Ullage, humidity,
temperature, oak vessel size What does maturation do to Rutherge=len wines in
terms of color, acidity and aromas? Pale Pink/Ruby or Garnet turns to Brown
Sweetness increases Alcohol and acidity levels increase Becomes more fuller bodied
syrupy tertiary flavors Is Rutherglen Muscat a vintage product? No. Most Rutherglen
Muscat wines are non-vintage products and an important aspect in the production of
the wine is the blending of younger and older wines to gain the optimum balance
between freshness and complexity and to retain a consistency of style year on year.
Which maturation technique did Rutherglen copy from the old word? Some
producers may use a modified solera system (removing some wine from barrel and
replacing it with younger wine, although often not in quite the same systematic way
used in Sherry solera systems). What is the name of the Rutherglen industry body
and when was it founded? The Muscat of Rutherglen Network was founded in 1995
to promote sales of Rutherglen Muscat.
, Q: What does the Rutherglen classification system differentiate?
Answer:
richness, complexity and intensity. As the level of classification increases, the
number of vintages in the blend and the span of age between the oldest and youngest
component wines will generally be greater What are the 4 classifications of
Rutherglen Muscat? Rutherglen Muscat Classic Rutherglen Muscat Grand
Rutherglen Muscat Rare Rutherglen Muscat What is the average age and sweetness
of Rutherglen Muscat? Average age 3-5 years. Residual sweetness 180-240 g/L.
What is the average age and sweetness of Classic Rutherglen Muscat? displays a
greater level of concentration, complexity and tertiary flavours. Average age 6-10
years. Residual sweetness 200-280 g/L. What is the average age and sweetness of
Grand Rutherglen Muscat? displays even greater concentration and complexity from
blending both young and very mature wines. Average age 11-19 years. Residual
sweetness 270-400 g/L. What is the average age and sweetness of Rare Rutherglen
Muscat? these wines are bottled in tiny volumes and represent the pinnacle of
Rutherglen Muscat. Minimum average age 20 years - but wines in the blend can
often be much older. Residual sweetness 270-400 g/L. What is Rutherglen Muscat
like on the palate/nose? Medium garnet in colour, and have pronounced aromas of
raisins, figs, dates, and sweet spices. They are sweet on the palate and full bodied
with medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol for a fortified wine and a pronounced
intensity of flavours.
Answers with Verified Solutions | Latest 2026 Update
,Q: What can be said about old vines in Rutherglen?
Answer:
These old vines are said to produce bunches of smaller grapes with a higher skin to
juice ratio, which can produce deeper coloured, more concentrated wines. The
proportion of old vine fruit used can be an element of house style. Why are grapes
left on the skins for a bit before pressing (Rutherglen)? When picked, Muscat grapes
are partly shrivelled making it hard to extract the dense juice through pressing
immediately. Crushed Muscat grapes therefore ferment briefly on their skins to break
down the pulp and release sugar and flavours. Enzymes may be added to the juice
and various cap management techniques (punching down, pumping over, rotary
fermenters) employed to aid extraction. At which ABV are Rutherglen Muscats
fortified At 1-2% ABV to retain Muscat aromas. Fortified with neutral grape spirit of
at least 96% to 17.5% What happens before bottling and after fermentation in
Rutherglen? The wines are clarified by racking off lees or by light filtration.
Winemakers may now make adjustments to pH and perform light fining for protein
stability. The aim is to avoid deposits that might cause off- flavours during
maturation. How are Rutherglen Muscats matured? The wines are matured in very
old oak vessels, often in warm conditions, in warehouses with tin roofs, which
become hot in the summer WHat can be said about the location of the barrels in a
typical tin roofed warehouse? The positioning of barrels is important; those nearer
the top of stacks are subjected to warmer temperatures and mature more quickly.
Some producers also have sections of their warehouse facilities that are insulated to
retain more-even, cooler temperatures throughout the year, which generally slows the
maturation and can be used to retain greater freshness.
,Q: What kind of oak vessels are used for Rutherglen maturation?
Answer:
The vessels consist of large round or oval casks of the capacity of 1,300 to 9,000
litres and smaller barrels of 180 to 500 L. Small vessels promote greater
concentration through evaporation, more oxidation and generally a quicker
maturation. The wood is often very old as the flavours and tannins from new oak are
not wanted in these wines. What impacts the speed of oxidation? Ullage, humidity,
temperature, oak vessel size What does maturation do to Rutherge=len wines in
terms of color, acidity and aromas? Pale Pink/Ruby or Garnet turns to Brown
Sweetness increases Alcohol and acidity levels increase Becomes more fuller bodied
syrupy tertiary flavors Is Rutherglen Muscat a vintage product? No. Most Rutherglen
Muscat wines are non-vintage products and an important aspect in the production of
the wine is the blending of younger and older wines to gain the optimum balance
between freshness and complexity and to retain a consistency of style year on year.
Which maturation technique did Rutherglen copy from the old word? Some
producers may use a modified solera system (removing some wine from barrel and
replacing it with younger wine, although often not in quite the same systematic way
used in Sherry solera systems). What is the name of the Rutherglen industry body
and when was it founded? The Muscat of Rutherglen Network was founded in 1995
to promote sales of Rutherglen Muscat.
, Q: What does the Rutherglen classification system differentiate?
Answer:
richness, complexity and intensity. As the level of classification increases, the
number of vintages in the blend and the span of age between the oldest and youngest
component wines will generally be greater What are the 4 classifications of
Rutherglen Muscat? Rutherglen Muscat Classic Rutherglen Muscat Grand
Rutherglen Muscat Rare Rutherglen Muscat What is the average age and sweetness
of Rutherglen Muscat? Average age 3-5 years. Residual sweetness 180-240 g/L.
What is the average age and sweetness of Classic Rutherglen Muscat? displays a
greater level of concentration, complexity and tertiary flavours. Average age 6-10
years. Residual sweetness 200-280 g/L. What is the average age and sweetness of
Grand Rutherglen Muscat? displays even greater concentration and complexity from
blending both young and very mature wines. Average age 11-19 years. Residual
sweetness 270-400 g/L. What is the average age and sweetness of Rare Rutherglen
Muscat? these wines are bottled in tiny volumes and represent the pinnacle of
Rutherglen Muscat. Minimum average age 20 years - but wines in the blend can
often be much older. Residual sweetness 270-400 g/L. What is Rutherglen Muscat
like on the palate/nose? Medium garnet in colour, and have pronounced aromas of
raisins, figs, dates, and sweet spices. They are sweet on the palate and full bodied
with medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol for a fortified wine and a pronounced
intensity of flavours.
