Description
Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise from Domaine de Durban is considered the crème de la crème of the appellation, and we couldn't agree more. They have mastered the art of capturing the beautiful aromatics of the Muscat grape with just the right amount of body and sweetness without being heavy-handed or dense. It is by all means a sweet wine, but it doesn't overwhelm, it just lets the honey, peach and orange blossom flavors flow onto the dignified finish of apparent and pleasing acidity.
Domaine de Durban is an historic piece of land overlooking the village of Beaumes-de-Venise in the southern Rhône Valley of France. It was once the site of a Roman healing springs destination and has been a continuous working farm since the year 1159. Wine cultivation in the area started over millennia ago and ancient philosopher, Pliny the Elder, sang the praises of its famous Muscat. Indeed, Domaine de Durban's Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise dessert wine is considered the finest of the appellation and can always be found on our store shelves. Jacques Leydier purchased the property in 1967 and his grandsons, Henri and Philippe, now run the domaine. They sustainably farm 55 acres of vines planted primarily to Muscat, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and smaller quantities of Chardonnay and Viognier. The vineyards enjoy a cooler microclimate thanks to their high altitude in the shadow of the Dentelles de Montmirail Mountains and are protected from the intense winds of the Mistral by tall pine trees—all of which help retain the natural acidity of the grapes and provides for remarkable consistency year after year.
