Could this be the best fortified wine!

 

Watch: French VDNs Explained: Muscat Beaumes de Venise

Vins Doux Naturels (VDNs) are French fortified wines made in a range of French wine regions including the Rhone Valley, Languedoc and Roussillon. They are white and red wines, the majority made from Muscat or Grenache. 

These wines are sweet and can be young and unaged, where the flavours of the grape varieties shine through, such as aromatic peach and grape in the case of Muscat and red fruits for Grenache based wines.

They can also be aged in the presence of oxygen which adds dried fruits, nuts, caramel and toffee flavours.

Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

Muscat de Beaumes de Venise is a stand out VDN made in the Rhone Valley from Muscat grapes. With alcohol at the lower end around 15%, this is a wonderfully aromatic sweet white wine with delicious peach and grapey flavours, honey and sultana.

Food Pairing and Cocktails

Pair with lighter desserts, fruit-based and creamy, white and milk chocolate.

Muscat de Beaumes de Venise is one of the best substitutes for gin in a G&T. Serve with orange rind and enjoy this refreshingly aromatic, fruity lower alcohol cocktail.

How long will VDNs keep?

This depends on whether they are aged or not. In all cases keep stoppered in the fridge. If the wine is aged then the flavours should be good for a few weeks, up to a month. If not aged then drink within a week or so.