Latah Creek Orange Moscato 2023

In early 2011, a freeze devastated Mike and Natalie’s Muscat Canelli vines. Throughout the year, they worked to find a solution and discovered several growers with different Muscat clones who generously offered part of their harvest to assist them. This act of kindness left a lasting impression, so when, in 2018, one of those growers reached out in a bind with grapes ready for harvest that very day, Mike and Natalie accepted the opportunity. Upon tasting the fruit, they realized they needed these grapes every year! The five tons of grapes are exclusively designated for their Moscato, aptly named Orange Moscato due to the natural orange flavors inherent in the grapes.

This wine demands meticulous attention. During fermentation, the juice is closely monitored, allowing it to reach 10% residual sugar before halting the fermentation process to maintain a sweet profile. However, due to the high sugar content, the wine is highly prone to spontaneous re-fermentation, even when stored at 30ºF. Consequently, Mike and Natalie must consistently check on this wine and bottle it as quickly as possible. Since the wine is kept at such low temperatures through bottling, the CO2 generated during fermentation never completely dissipates, resulting in a slight effervescence.

Natalie’s Tasting Notes

When we use the Orange Muscat grape for this delicate wine, you get a wine rich in orange essences.  Expect fragrances of sweet orange blossom, fresh jasmine, and spun honey. With a slight effervescence, it envelops your palate with flavors of honeysuckle and orange cream, while delicate hints of sweet jasmine remain long after the last sip. A refreshing acidity ensures that this wine avoids being overly sweet and cloying.

Food Pairing

Enjoy this wine well chilled as an aperitif, with a fruit and cheese platter, or as an accompaniment to Ellena’s Mushroom Tart recipe, available online or in her latest cookbook.

Winemakers

Mike Conway & Natalie Conway-Barnes