Ruster Ausbruch
June 29, 2009
The most famous dessert wine of Austria is the famed Ruster Ausbruch. It originates from the town of Rust, hence the name, which is located in the Burgenland region of Austria. There are a number of dessert wines hailing from different countries called Ausbruch, but it gets its name from a method of grape selection come harvest time. The key is Botrytis cinerea will have affected grapes used to make an Ausbruch. This isn't like ice wine which is made from late-harvest grapes, it's completely different.
How much effort is put into selecting the grapes will decide the quality of the wine. How this is done is simply by separating the ripe grapes from the ones with the Botrytis, also called noble rot. This can happen throughout the day to ensure only the most perfectly molded grapes are picked. Those affected by the lesser black or green molds are also picked but then discarded. The most a picker will gather with this method is about 20 liters with each pass.
For about 300 liters it takes about 7 or 8 grape pickers to get enough of the grapes together. Maceration generally takes between one half to two days, depending on the quality of the grapes. Then they are pressed. Following pressing, the grapes are required to reach at least 12% alcohol content during fermentation, which lasts about 4 months. Once it's time for aging the wine is put into wooden casks or oak barrels.
Ruster Ausbruch is claimed to be the first dessert wine ever produced. The blend of grapes used in Ruster Ausbruch is Furmint and Muskateller, but you’ll find examples from single varietals or cuvees of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Neuburger, Traminer and Welschriesling as well. You might have to do some online shopping to find an Ausbruch if you live in the US as they are uncommon. Two producers to look for are the Feiler-Artinger and the Wenzel winery, whose family have been making wine in Rust since 1647.
In the glass it is a beautiful sparkly yellow. An intense fruity nose with hints of apricot and citrus are characteristics of this wine. On the palate you are overwhelmed by the finesse of the acid that carries the wine and builds the backbone for long cellaring potential. Try it with dessert or go crazy and pair it with blue cheese and foie gras. The best dessert for the Ruster Ausbruch is something simple like a pound cake or fruit. But you can even enjoy it on its own.
How much effort is put into selecting the grapes will decide the quality of the wine. How this is done is simply by separating the ripe grapes from the ones with the Botrytis, also called noble rot. This can happen throughout the day to ensure only the most perfectly molded grapes are picked. Those affected by the lesser black or green molds are also picked but then discarded. The most a picker will gather with this method is about 20 liters with each pass.
For about 300 liters it takes about 7 or 8 grape pickers to get enough of the grapes together. Maceration generally takes between one half to two days, depending on the quality of the grapes. Then they are pressed. Following pressing, the grapes are required to reach at least 12% alcohol content during fermentation, which lasts about 4 months. Once it's time for aging the wine is put into wooden casks or oak barrels.
Ruster Ausbruch is claimed to be the first dessert wine ever produced. The blend of grapes used in Ruster Ausbruch is Furmint and Muskateller, but you’ll find examples from single varietals or cuvees of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Neuburger, Traminer and Welschriesling as well. You might have to do some online shopping to find an Ausbruch if you live in the US as they are uncommon. Two producers to look for are the Feiler-Artinger and the Wenzel winery, whose family have been making wine in Rust since 1647.
In the glass it is a beautiful sparkly yellow. An intense fruity nose with hints of apricot and citrus are characteristics of this wine. On the palate you are overwhelmed by the finesse of the acid that carries the wine and builds the backbone for long cellaring potential. Try it with dessert or go crazy and pair it with blue cheese and foie gras. The best dessert for the Ruster Ausbruch is something simple like a pound cake or fruit. But you can even enjoy it on its own.
Posted by Jim Beasley. Posted In : Sweet Wine of Austria