Description

PRODUCER:
Andrew Quady’s change of career from making fireworks to making wine produced an explosion of its own kind when he created Essensia from the Orange Muscat grape. It was an instant success, and until 1985, he could not make enough to satisfy demand. Now Quady is the foremost American winery specialising entirely in dessert wines and continues to win medals worldwide. In 1975, Quady’s first port-like wine was made from Amador County Zinfandel. Now it is made from traditional Portuguese varietals such as Tinta Roriz and Tinta Cao.

VINEYARD:
In 1980, Andrew Quady discovered a parcel of underused Orange Muscat grapes in Reedley, California, which led him to make a wine which celebrated the intense aromas and spicy fruit flavours of the grapes. In Italy, the variety is known as Moscato Fior d’Arancio: Orange Blossom Muscat. In Reedley, California, it is grown in well-drained, alluvial soils, in climatic conditions ideally suited to this variety. The grapes are harvested at optimal maturity once they have reached 22 Brix. Quady Winery is Certified Sustainable with California Certified Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW), and the Orange Muscat grapes are Certified Sustainable with CCSW.

WINEMAKING:
The Orange Muscat grapes were crushed, chilled and allowed to macerate. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts, before being arrested with neutral grape brandy. This arrested fermentation preserved the delicate aromas of the fresh, ripe grapes and lightly fortified the wine to around 15% alcohol. It was aged for three months in used, predominantly French oak barrels.

TASTING NOTE:
Vibrantly coloured, Essencia delivers luscious sweet oranges and apricots on the palate with bittersweet orange marmalade notes which balance well with the fresh citrussy finish.

GRAPES:
Orange Muscat 100%.