BakeSpace.com Member Forums

Babette · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:06 am Post subject: July Wine - Orange Muscat

Hi Guys!

I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT PICKING THE WINE THIS MONTH...

With that said... I really wanted to do an Orange Muscat after having it in Austin for the first time in March. I went back through the March wine thread and discovered Shane recommended Muscat but posted all the varieties... I don't think I saw one "orange" variation in the posts, but I can't remember now.

After asking some of you should I post this wine again with the orange variation and got a few "go for it" I decided to go for it anyway. So, here goes it!

Why I love this wine - I didn't realized I actually tried this in Jan (it's here in a thread where I posted a photo of a great find that I had at my future sister-in-law's house). Anyhow, I also tried it in Austin in March at the flagship Whole Foods - they were hosting a food bloggers conference and had a taste test between TX wine and international. I'm looking for my paperwork on the event to find out which one I tried that I loved!!! (BTW, TX wine is actually pretty good if you happen to stumble upon a bottle. You wouldn't think, but they did ok in the taste test).

I also picked the wine to represent the community... I can't tell you how proud I am of the last cookover - not because Karen went way beyond the call of duty and was an incredible hostess, an awesome interviewee under pressure and a house large enough for all you guys.. but just seeing the blog posts, reading the article in the paper and seeing the photos shows me that together we've created something truly unique. You guys have stood by me and our small team through database crashes, server issues and site quirks and have been consistent in your desire to share our community with your friends and family. AND every new person that signs in is ALWAYS welcomed with a warm friendly hello. I don't think I've ever seen that before on another site. I can't tell you how warm that makes this place. Thank you!

Anyhow, I digress... back to wine.

Orange Muscat is a white grape variety. There is some disagreement about whether it really is closely related to the other muscat varieties.

Nearly all of the wines made with Orange Muscat fall into the dessert wine category, which is just what this grape is best for. The grape is so named because the wines produced with it exhibit a lush orange color, not to mention a distinct tincture of orange blossom in the flavoring.

Food Pairing with Orange Muscat
A very dry Orange Muscat can be used with seafood dishes, but the best matches for this aromatic variety are with spicy foods, desserts or with soft ripe cheeses.

I also found an awesome recipe where you can use the stuff...

Cantaloupe and Orange Muscat Sorbet
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:

* 1 Large Cantaloupe (2-3 pounds), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1" cubes
* 1 Cup Sugar
* 1/2 Cup Water
* 2 Tablespoons Orange Muscat <-- perfect if you have a little left over

Preparation:
In a bowl, mix the cantaloupe with a 1/2 cup of the sugar. Let stand for 15 minutes. In a small pot, place the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and the water. Bring to a gentle boil. When all the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat.

Using a food processor, puree the cantaloupe until very smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine strainer or cheesecloth into a bowl. Add the sugar syrup and orange Muscat. Mix well and refrigerate until chilled.

Freeze in an ice cream freezer according to the manufacturer's directions. (Wonder if you can just put in the freezer for a few days.. anyone know how to make ice cream if you don't have a machine?)

Someone make this and tell me how it is!!!!

Here's the format: (for anyone that's new.. copy and past the info below and create your own review of the win you choose. Post it to the thread and upload a photo. If you need help uploading a photo, let us know - we'd be happy to help or upload it for you!)

Name:
Price:
Year:
PHOTO of bottle
Short intro from the wine maker about the wine:
Review:
Would you buy again?:
Wine Pairing Ideas/Recipes:

(From girlchef's last post.. don't know if we addressed this ... and should we include the area/region it came from also this time? I know it was mentioned last time. I've been including it for my own curious reasons, but...??)

cwiech · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:12 am Post subject:

Ha Ha--not too soon for me--I don't know what the hell it is! This is the best place to find out. I say go for it!!!
_________________
Cathy

"Never eat more than you can lift."--Miss Piggy

http://www.bakespace.com/members/profile/cwiech/17976/
http://twitter.com/dutchbakergirl
http://thedutchbakersdaughter.blogspot.com/

ddpie · Elite BakeSpacer Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 8618

I say go for it too! That's what it's all about, trying different stuff, right????

I haven't seen it, but I wasn't looking for it either...after a quick look up, it sounds intriguing and perfect for summer!

Jus' do it!!!!! wooooohoooooo!

ETA: oh and....just so no one freaks out if they can't find it...remember we can always just say "I found this one instead", so please still do your wine reviews! It's ALLLLL good Smile

Babette · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:34 am Post subject:

Awesome!

So excited!

spryte · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:59 am Post subject:

Acutally... having an orange muscat makes them easier to compare... The muscato month was so varied, none of the wines were even similar at my wine party!
_________________
~Marguerite
Keepin' it green!

Spryte's Place Blog

Babette · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:19 am Post subject:

Matt74 · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:25 am Post subject:

Sounds good Babs...melon sorbet mmm!...I have had muscat before just not the orange variety...It reminds me of Icewine..has anyone here tried it?
_________________
Low and slow

http://theoutlawgourmand.blogspot.com/
Http://bakespace.com/?matt74

ddpie · Elite BakeSpacer Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 8618

We've had icewine Matt, but I've only tried one, from one of our local wineries here (Easley's Winery) but it was a bit too sweet for me. Jim loved it, but he goes for the really sweet dessert wine.

Babette · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:45 am Post subject:

ddpie · Elite BakeSpacer Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 8618

LOL, yes, one of the many BS Jim's hahahahahaha