2008 Austin Street Muscat Blanc
Several weeks ago, my wife and I enjoyed a great Brennan Vineyards Wine Dinner. We departed this event with a bottle of Brennan’s Austin Street label 2008 Muscat Blanc. This is a light desert wine that was paired with a peach champagne sorbetto at the dinner. I believe Vianei Robinson sums it best when in 2006 she reviewed the Austin Street Muscat Blanc for the Abilene Reporter News and commented, “It has the classic floral aromas of the Muscat grape and a light sweetness that is refreshing, not cloying.”
Muscats are one of my wife’s favorite wines. Our first introduction was a Becker Vineyards Muscat Canelli eight years ago. After this, we happened upon a wine tasting storefront in the DFW airport and had our first taste of Sister Creek Vineryards’ Muscat Canelli. More recently, in 2008, we returned from an extended wine touring weekend with a bottle of Texas Hills Vineyards Orange Muscato. Overall, my wife favors Sister Creek Vineyard’s Muscat Canelli, but Brennan’s Austin Street Muscat Blanc is a close second.
While the Brennan’s grow their own Muscat de Alexderia grapes, the Muscat Blanc is made from Reddy Vineyards fruit. Reddy Vineyards is just east of Brownfield, Texas and produces grapes for several wineries around Texas, most notably Haak Winery’s 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon which received several awards. Dr. Vijay and Subada Reddy have been growing grapes since 1997. According to a May 2009 High Plains/Midwest AG Journal article, the Reddy’s started with five acres and their current operation has 105 acres, 105,000 plants, that produce 400 tons of grapes in a year. The Reddy’s website details that 4.5 acres has Muscat Canelli, or as the French refer to it Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. These were planted in March of 2004. In a September 2008 Lubbock Avalanche-Journal article, the Reddy’s indicated they plan to expand their current vineyard operation by another 60 acres over the course of five years.
Brennan’s Austin Street 2008 Muscat Blanc was a great close to an excellent dinner. If desert wines are your forte, I’m confident you’ll enjoy this Muscat Blanc.
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