PDO Muscat of Rhodes

My exploration of the Muscat family of cultivars continues herein with Greece's PDO Muscat of Rhodes. The Greek Muscat wines studied to date have been, with the exception of Muscat of Lemnos, drawn from the small-berried (Petits Grains) instance of this cultivar family. PDO Muscat of Rhodes is no exception.

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands and, based on archaeological evidence was one of the first Greek islands to engage in the cultivation of grapes.

PDO Muscat of Rhodes (indicated by arrow)

Wine exportation was a key aspect of ancient Rhodian commerce and the amphorae in which their wines were transported were engraved with either a rose or an image of the Sun God Helios. Wine production. Wine production and exportation retained their importance until Rhodes was overrun by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522.

Rhodes experiences mild winters and long summers, the latter of which is moderated by cool winds form the north. Winters are short and rainy.

The island's early geological history shows deposits of cherry limestone in the shallow waters to the north in the 210 - 65 million years ago. Subsequent compression of the crust led to the formation of mountains which themselves eroded over time. Finally, basins developed and infilled with marls, which make fertile soils. The oldest limestones were erosion-resistant and represent the highest point on the island today. The dominant soil types currently are clay and limestone. 

PDO Muscat of Rhodes can be 100% Muscat of Rhodes or can be made from a clone called Muscat di Trani (called Moscato di Triani Reale in Puglia) which was introduced by the Italians during their rule of the Dodecanese from 1912 to 1947. Muscat of Rhodes vineyards  are few and "scattered on small isolated lanes of land" and today there are only "a handful" of vineyards planted to Muscat di Trani.

The wine is available in two styles:

• Vin naturellement doux (sun-dried)
• Vin doux naturel - Vin du liqueur (fortified).

If the grapes are sourced from a low-yield, producer-owned vineyard, the wine can be labeled Grand Cru. 

The white Muscat from Rhodes has "outstanding complexity" with notes of fragrant rose petals and ripe fruit. It is refreshing on the palate with moderate acidity and great aging potential. Muscat of Rhodes made from the Muscat di Trani has notes akin to the Muscat of Lemnos.

©Wine -- Mise en abyme