What are the rules for labeling and marketing muscadine wines?
The muscadine grape is native to the southeastern United States and is the only true native grape of the region. It has been grown for centuries and is an important part of the culture and heritage of the region. In recent years, the muscadine grape has become increasingly popular as a component of wine production, particularly in the states of North Carolina and Georgia.
That increased interest has come with its own set of rules and regulations for labeling and marketing muscadine wines. Whether you’re a new winemaker just starting out in the muscadine wine game, or you’re an experienced vintner looking to stay up to date on the latest regulations, here are the rules you need to know.
VintageYear Designations
The first of the labeling and marketing rules is regarding vintage year designations. To qualify for a vintage year designation on a muscadine wine, the wine must be made from grapes grown entirely within the past year, and no later.
Varietal Designations
The next rule for labelling and marketing muscadine wines is related to varietal designations. To qualify for a varietal designation on a muscadine wine label, the wine must be made from at least 75% of the same varietal or variety of muscadine grapes. Aromatic varieties, like the Noble and Cowart Sand, qualify here.
Geographic Designations
To qualify for a geographic designation on a muscadine wine label, the wine must be made primarily from muscadine grapes grown within the same viticultural area. Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia are all recognized as distinct viticultural areas separate and distinct from any other state.
Alcohol Content
Muscadine wines must have an actual Alcohol by Volume (ABV) of at least 7%, and not less than 5%. This is a stricter requirement than the federal labeling laws, which require wines have an ABV no greater than 14%.
Grape Quantity Designations
In order to qualify for a grape quantity designation, a muscadine wine label must also adhere to certain rules set by the state prior to release. Each geographic area and viticultural region within the designated states may have different regulations, however.
Residual Sugar Designations
In addition to being accurately labeled with respect to ABV, muscadine wines must also be labeled with their level of residual sugar. The vast majority of wines must be labeled with a simple designation of “dry”, “medium”, or “sweet”, however some states do allow the winery to list an exact sugar content as well.
Brand Designations
Finally, when it comes to labeling and marketing muscadine wines, wineries must use the same brand designation on all bottles of the same type of wine. This designation must consist only of a single word, and must be displayed conspicuously on the label.
These are the basic rules and regulations to consider when labeling and marketing muscadine wines. While there may be more stringent regulations based on specific viticultural areas in the states of North Carolina and Georgia, the rules above are the minimum requirements that all winemakers should understand in order to produce the best possible muscadine wines. Original Article
What types of food pair well with muscadine wine?
Muscadine wine is a type of grape variety native to the southeastern United States and is known for its sweet flavor. But what types of food pair best with muscadine wine? Like other wines, muscadine has some key tasting notes that should be considered when choosing food pairings. For example, muscadine has notes of fruity and tropical fruits and can have a hint of oak or earthy flavors. It also can have subtle vegetal or herbal flavors, making it a great option for a variety of food pairings. Here are some delicious food pairings to consider when enjoying muscadine wine:
Fruit
Fruits are a classic pairing with muscadine wine, particularly fruits such as peaches and nectarines which are characteristic of its flavor. For a light dessert option, consider pairing poached pears with a glass of muscadine. For a more savory pairing, apricots, plums and figs can be grilled and topped with a generous sprinkling of fresh herbs.
Cheese
Muscadine pairs especially well with creamy and rich cheeses such as goats cheese, brie, and camembert. For a more savory cheese pairing, blue cheese works particularly well- try pairing gorgonzola with muscadine for a rich and flavorful appetizer.
Nuts
Nuts always make great partners to wine- try pairing walnuts, almonds and cashews with muscadine for a delicious snack. Alternatively, to complement sweeter flavors, pistachios and macadamias pair perfectly with a glass of muscadine.
Vegetables
Muscadine’s fruit-forward taste pairs exceptionally well with sweet vegetables such as roasted squash, eggplant and bell peppers. For a savory vegetable pairing, garlic and mushrooms are a great choice. Try roasting mushrooms with herbs and serve with a glass of muscadine for a delicious meal.
Meats
For a savory pairing try dishes such as pork, chicken and lamb. Rich, flavor-packed dishes such as these are the perfect complement to muscadine’s sweet and fruity flavors. Consider braising pork belly with a glass of muscadine for a succulent meal.
Whether you’re looking for a sweet or savory food pairing, muscadine wines pair best with dishes that are bold and full of flavor. With its complexity of fruity and herbal notes, muscadine wines offer the perfect partner to a variety of dishes, making it a great choice to serve with any meal. So why not give muscadine a try and explore the possibilities it offers for delicious food pairings?
Visit howtomakewinefromgrapes.com to learn more about muscadine wine. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.