Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal DOC - José Maria da Fonseca

The Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal DOC - José Maria da Fonseca shines a deep golden color in the glass, shot through with amber reflections. Even at the first swirl, an intense scent of orange blossom, candied citrus zest, and ripe apricot rises to the nose. Added to this are notes of vanilla, honey, caramel, and a hint of dried figs, reminiscent of a Mediterranean evening by the sea.

On the nose, a multi-layered interplay of aromas unfolds, impressively showcasing the characterful Moscatel from Setúbal. On the palate, the wine appears silky, dense, and full-bodied, with concentrated sweetness and an elegant structure. The fresh acidity carries the opulent aromatics and lends the wine balance and tension. Delicate tannins from barrel aging set fine accents and give the long finish additional contours.

On the tongue you will find:

• ripe orange, mandarin, and candied lemon peel
• blossom honey, vanilla, and fine caramel notes
• dried fruits such as fig, date, and raisin
• subtle nut nuances and a hint of marzipan

The texture feels velvety and silky, with a warm, voluminous body. The level of sweetness is clearly noticeable, yet the firm acidic structure provides a lively counterpoint. The finish is long and aromatic, reminiscent of orange marmalade, vanilla, and spicy wood nuances. The style of this Moscatel from the Setúbal DOC is classic, characterful, and shaped by Mediterranean warmth.

The Moscatel grape variety comes from the sandy sites of the Setúbal Peninsula in Portugal, a warm-climate growing region with maritime influences. The proximity to the Atlantic, intense sunshine, and light soils shape a wine with impressive aromatics and a pronounced personality. As a varietal Moscatel de Setúbal, Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal DOC - José Maria da Fonseca shows the full expressiveness of this traditional grape.

1. Wine color: white, with an intense golden hue
2. Wine category: fortified wine with pronounced sweetness
3. Alcohol content: 17.5% ABV
4. Texture: silky, full, and dense
5. Finish: long, aromatic, and multi-layered

Production of Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal DOC - José Maria da Fonseca

The grapes for this Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal DOC - José Maria da Fonseca grow on the Península de Setúbal, in the Setúbal DOC. The climate is warm, sunny, and influenced by Atlantic breezes. Warm days ripen the grapes intensely, cooler nights preserve their natural freshness. The sandy soils around Azeitão store warmth, while at the same time allowing excellent drainage, resulting in concentrated, aroma-rich berries.

Careful harvesting is carried out with highly selective grape picking so that only the most aromatic Moscatel grapes make it into the cellar. High levels of ripeness bring impressive sweetness and an intense fruit profile to the must. After fermentation, alcohol is added to the wine, which stops fermentation and preserves part of the natural grape sweetness. This creates the typical style of Moscatel de Setúbal with opulent sweetness and high extract.

The wine then matures in used wooden barrels. These barrels lend the Moscatel subtle vanilla and spice notes without masking the grape’s fruit character. Barrel aging adds additional complexity, a soft, polished structure, and the characteristic caramel and nut nuances. Thanks to aging in used casks, the aromas of orange blossom, citrus fruits, and dried fruits clearly remain in the foreground.

The José Maria da Fonseca estate is one of the most traditional producers in Portugal and has been cultivating the art of Moscatel de Setúbal for generations. The house style combines classic craftsmanship with a precise understanding of origin and grape variety. This creates a wine that harmoniously unites terroir, climate, and grape variety and at the same time shows the highest consistency in quality and character. The 91-point rating in Wine Spectator clearly underscores this ambition.

Tasting recommendations for Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal DOC - José Maria da Fonseca

This Moscatel opens up a wide spectrum of pleasurable moments. The intense sweetness, the silky-warm texture, and the radiant aromatics pair wonderfully with spicy and piquant dishes. Hot tapas, oriental dishes with chili, and aromatic vegetable sautés gain an exciting sweet-spicy balance from this wine. Robust hard cheeses, blue cheeses, or aged goat’s cheese provide a captivating contrast to its richness.

• spicy, piquant dishes with chili or pepper
• oriental cuisine, such as tagine with dried fruits
• robust cheese boards with blue and hard cheeses
• nutty desserts, crème brûlée, orange tart

As a dessert wine, this Moscatel accompanies nutty or caramelized desserts, orange confectionery, almond pastries, and sweets with honey and dried fruits. In a dessert wine glass, the wine unfolds its full aromatic abundance; the vanilla and citrus notes become particularly prominent and intensify the tasting experience. The recommended serving temperature is 11 to 13 °C, at which sweetness, acidity, and alcohol come together particularly harmoniously.

The Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal DOC - José Maria da Fonseca accompanies romantic dinners by warm candlelight just as impressively as festive menus. Enjoyed on its own after a meal, it replaces dessert and makes the conclusion of a menu particularly striking. Even in a small gathering with friends, with select tapas or a piece of cheese, this Moscatel reveals its full class.

The wine can be stored for many years. Thanks to the high residual sugar content of about 129 g/l and the alcohol content, the wine develops additional matured and honey notes in the bottle without completely losing its freshness. Stored cool, protected from light, and lying down, its aromatic spectrum becomes even more intense. Those who appreciate matured sweet wines will discover in this Moscatel a characterful companion for special moments that gives enjoyment over many years.

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