Muselet

Meaning “muzzle” in English, a muselet (pronounced MOOSE-eh-lay) is the wire cage that holds a Champagne or sparkling wine cork firmly in place on the neck of the bottle. The muzzle is important when it comes to safety. Even though most people quickly remove it first, the muselet should actually not be removed before the cork is eased out. Rather, it should be removed with the cork at the same time.

Of the following famous grapes from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northern Italy, which is not a white grape variety?

A. Vitovska

B. Ribolla Gialla

C. Schioppettino

D. Picolit

Schioppettino is one of the top red varieties grown in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region famed for its white wines. However, schioppettino nearly disappeared from Friuli in the wake of phylloxera. The owner of Ronchi di Cialla winery, Paolo Rapuzzi, rescued the grape in the 1970s when he collected 100 extant vines and clandestinely had them grafted to make them available for propagation (schioppettino was not an officially allowed variety in Friuli at the time). Wines made from schioppettino can be startling—hauntingly dry with sharp peppery, spicy, black cherry flavors and a tight, angular body. The word schioppettino comes from scoppiettio, to “crackle” or “pop,” a possible reference to the grape’s or wine’s fascinating texture.

Eucalyptus Elucidated

One of the signature aromas and flavors of many Australian wines is eucalyptus–a fresh cool, minty, and even medicinal character. How is this possible? The presence of eucalyptus-like aromas and flavors is directly related to a… Continue reading

Muselet

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