Here is a very unusual take on the Muscat grape, known here in Portugal as Moscatel, in this case the Galego sub-variety. In Portugal, the Moscatel grape is most often used for fortified wines in the Setúbal region and to some extent in the Douro.
Made by Secret Spot Wines, who also make fortified Muscats alongside their range of table wines under the Lacrau and Crooked Vines labels, this is quite different to any of the other Moscatel table wines I have so far tried.
Most of the others are light, fresh wines with the trademark floral notes of the grape, but this one has been fermented and aged on the lees in 500-litre used oak barrels.
The wine is opulent on the nose with intense floral, citric and tropical fruit notes with a creamy texture in the mouth with crunchy acidity and great freshness.
This is not an easy wine to pair with food as the aroma and flavour are quite overpowering, but it is excellent match for a spicy Thai curry. €17.95 at Apolónia.
