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Posted by Alan Boehmer Aug 19, 2008 |
Muse NV Carnivale; 15.3% alc., $12.99
Soft, richly flavored sweet pary wine. Natural pineapple and orange add a festive note in the tradition of Sangria, but the principal flavor comes from its 100% Central Coast Syrah base. Sweet red wines fell into disregard after the Cold Duck debacle of the 1960s but have always been a part of the European wine spectrum, especially in Italy, Greece, and within the Jewish community.
We don't think Carnivale will be replacing dry red table wine any time soon, but it makes a great party wine. It's full-bodied enough (15.3% alcohol) to pour over ice and garnish with fresh fruit. Or use it as a base wine for your own fresh Sangria or party punch.
Muse is a new brand slated to hit the supermarket shelves in late 2008. The Muse lineup is devoted to inexpensive wine blends that are fun to drink. The label art and packaging absolutely screams "party!" and all the Muse wines are finished with hi-tech ZORK closures that allow you to "peel, pop, pour, and reseal" without resorting to a corkscrew. The ZORK closure can be re-used to re-seal any wine; it lasts indefinitely and is recyclable.
In addition to Carnivale, the Muse lineup includes a red blend named Mingle, made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah (14.3% alc.) and a white blend named Génie made from Chardonnay, Trebbiano, Muscat Canelli, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier (whew!). It's also no slouch, coming in at 14.2% alcohol. Both of these wines carry a California appellation and are vintage dated.