Description
The Muscat du Ventoux PDO is a black table grape obtained from the Muscat de Hambourg variety.
Production Area
The production area of the Muscat du Ventoux PDO includes 56 municipal areas of the Vaucluse department. The area is among three mountain ranges, Mont Ventoux to the north, the Monts du Vaucluse to the east and the Massif du Lubéron to the south, in the Provence-Alpes-Azur (French Riviera) region. It is also produced in some areas of the Champagne-Ardenne, Franche-Comte and Rhone-Alps regions.
Production Method
The grape, harvested on designated vineyards, situated in the delimited geographical area, must be perfectly sound. Conditioning takes place on the spot to prevent mishandling. Harvesting must be done by hand and using two types of conditioning boxes, so grapes can be sorted into different qualities. The bunch is carefully cut, trimmed by removing spoiled grapes and then placed in the box.
Appearance and Flavour
The Muscat du Ventoux PDO are large grapes, strong in colour but without red spots, crispy and with an intense typical Muscat scent. The deep blue colour of the variety is typical of this product.
History
The Muscat du Ventoux PDO origins, in the Vaucluse region, dates back to the turn of the last century. Muscat grapes from the Vaucluse were present in Belgium as long ago as in 1931. The production of table grapes is totally integrated to the local tradition, along with wine grapes and fruit. The Muscat de Hambourg variety has undeniably found a home in the area, and this accounts for its steady expansion against a backdrop of declining table grape French production.
Gastronomy
Once harvested, the Muscat du Ventoux PDO grapes can be preserved for some days in the compartment with greater temperature of refrigerators or in fresh and ventilated places. Bunches are checked and cleaned of deteriorated grapes. The Muscat du Ventoux PDO is an ideal table grape to be eaten fresh, but some tasty juices are also prepared.
Marketing
The product is sold as Muscat du Ventoux PDO. It is marketed in fruit boxes, with a label, indicating the denomination, the words Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, AOC, the producer's identification number and the number of the label.
Distinctive Features
The Muscat du Ventoux PDO finds in the Ventoux region the ideal conditions to obtain the typical blue colour and concentrate the flavours in the grapes. This is due to the influence of the surrounding landscape, which limits maximum temperatures and the wide variation between daytime and nighttime temperatures during ripening season. The annual temperature of this area allows harvesting to be spread out in a way that is entirely to the producer's advantage.
