Vineyards: located around the slopes of Beaumes-de-Venise, on the south facing slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail.
Soil types: sandy loam to the south, and argilo-calcareou to the north.
Climate: Mediterranean, hot and dry with the mistral winds moderated by the Dentelles massif.
Background: in the 1st century A.D., Pliny the Elder mentioned the existence of Muscat in his natural history, this lively and fruity wine, long cultivated at Balme. It was nicknamed “The Bees’ Vine”.
Nearer to our own times, in the fourteenth century the Pope Clement V, a fine connaisseur, had a 70 hectare muscat vineyard planted on the slopes of the Beaumes-de-Venise.
It was in 1945 that the decree dedicating the title of A.O.C., with effect backdated to 1943, was awarded to Beaumes-de-Venise Vin Doux Naturel Muscat (Muscat forified wine).
Area under cultivation*: 489 hectares, yearly production: 13556 hl, basic yield: 28 hl/hectare.
Grape variety: Small berried Muscat, also known as ‘Muscat de Frontignan’.
The grapes must have a sugar content of more than 252 g/l.
Mutage during fermentation with pure alcohol of a minimum 95 degrees proof.
The wines must contain 110g/l of sugar and have a minimum alcohol titration of 15%.
