Alcohol-free Muscat with plenty of character.
If we are fortunate, we have been spending several weeks of convivial get-togethers, and these being liberally laced with alcoholic libations. That’s grand, but sometimes we need to set a slower beverage pace – and that’s where Le Rendez-vous Alcohol-free Muscat from Famille Fabre comes to the rescue.
Cultivating this land in Languedoc in Southern France since the 17th century, the Famille Fabre has a new generation overseeing wine production. Clémence Fabre and her husband Louis-Jacques have presented four unique cuvées to celebrate the end-of-year festivities, and this is their non-alcoholic suggestion.
Muscat grapes are thought to have been grown for wine, dried fruit and table grapes for thousands of years. Le Rendez-vous Alcohol-free Muscat is produced in stainless steel tanks, with temperature control during fermentation. A cold stop of fermentation is used to retain a slight sweetness. The wine is then de-alcoholised by vacuum distillation. This process results in a pleasing and refreshing wine with delicate fizz.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Pale yellow with light bubbles
Nose: citrus, stone fruit and blossoms, characteristic of this grape
Palate: apples and pears
Finish: mouth-filling and bright
Le Rendez-vous is perfect for a lunch party when the day is expected to be long. Serve chilled as a pre-dinner sip or enjoy with your starter.
New this year, Le Rendez-vous is also the first non-alcoholic wine produced by the Famille Fabre. “This Muscat has a very refreshing ginger ale character and no shortage of texture”, says Clémence Fabre.