Quady Essensia Orange Muscat 2022
An intensely aromatic fortified dessert wine from California, made from the rare Orange Muscat grape alongside Muscat Canelli.
Rich honey-gold in colour, it delivers concentrated orange, apricot and pear aromas with layers of spice and a luscious sweetness balanced by bright natural acidity. The result is rich and indulgent without becoming heavy or cloying.
Despite its generous sweetness, Essensia remains beautifully balanced. Bright natural acidity cuts through the richness, bringing freshness and definition to the fruit and leaving a long, aromatic finish rather than an overly heavy or cloying impression.
Particularly impressive alongside fruit-based desserts, cheesecake, almond pastries and chocolate, while its combination of sweetness and acidity also makes it an excellent partner for tangy cheeses. Served well chilled, it is equally enjoyable on its own as an indulgent after-dinner wine.
USA
California
Orange Muscat
375ml
15%
2022Quady Winery has specialised in sweet and aperitif wines since the 1970s. Essensia traces its origins to 1980, when founder Andrew Quady discovered a small planting of Orange Muscat in California's San Joaquin Valley. The variety is also known in Italy as Moscato Fior d'Arancio, or Orange Blossom Muscat.
For the 2022 vintage, the grapes are harvested ripe, crushed and allowed to macerate before a brief fermentation. Wine spirit is then added to arrest fermentation and preserve the natural sweetness and aromatic intensity.
The wine subsequently spends approximately three months in seasoned 60-gallon barrels, predominantly French oak, developing additional complexity while retaining its vibrant Muscat character.
A rich, sweet and intensely aromatic fortified dessert wine, combining ripe citrus and stone fruit with warming spice and a luscious texture.
Expect orange, apricot and pear, complemented by honeyed richness and subtle floral and spicy notes.
The palate is full and concentrated, while vibrant acidity balances the sweetness and gives the wine a clean, refreshing finish.
In simple terms: luscious, aromatic and beautifully balanced, with orange, apricot, pear and warming spice.
- Nose: Intensely aromatic, with orange, ripe apricot and pear, accompanied by floral notes and warming spice.
- Palate: Rich and full-bodied, showing concentrated orange, apricot and pear fruit with honeyed sweetness and subtle spice. Bright fruit acidity provides freshness and balance.
- Finish: Long, sweet and aromatic, yet impressively clean, with lingering citrus, stone fruit and gentle spice.
- Cheesecake – richness and acidity work particularly well together.
- Apple & Peach Desserts – complements baked and fresh stone-fruit flavours.
- Apricot Desserts – echoes the wine's natural aromatic character.
- Chocolate – rich enough to stand alongside chocolate-based desserts.
- Almond Desserts & Biscotti – an excellent match for its sweet, spicy profile.
- Goat's Cheese – sweetness contrasts beautifully with fresh, tangy cheese.
- Serve well chilled in a small dessert-wine glass.
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