The grapes are harvested by hand at 27-29°Balling (Brix), crushed and taken to open concrete red wine fermentors. Here it is kept on the skins for two to three days for colour and flavour extraction. During this time the cap is wetted every two hours by manual punch-down and pumpovers. As soon as alcoholic fermentation starts naturally the free run juice is racked and the wet skins pressed. The must is then immediately fortified with pure wine spirits and left on its fine lees for three months. The wine is then racked from the lease and allowed to tank mature for a further three months before bottling. This extra maturation is essential for the marriage of the spirits and the wine
Rietvallei Red Muscadel
Rietvallei Red Muscadel is full-bodied, rich, yet gentle. A floral, Muscat bouquet comes through on the nose, with typical raisiny sweetness and an intense, rich flavour that lingers on the palate and follows through on the aftertaste while the acidity compliments and balances the sweetness.