Are the Muscat of Rutherglen classifications part of an international system?
No. The Muscat of Rutherglen group developed the classifications themselves (a very painstaking process!) to create a common approach to classifying and describing their wines. The same classifications also apply to Rutherglen Tokay, the other great fortified wine from the region. The search for easily understood names was complicated by the need to ensure their acceptability to authorities in export markets, especially the UK and USA. For example, Antique an early possibility for the Rare classification was unacceptable in the USA. Due to the high level of interest in the classifications from other wine regions, the group has agreed that the names and classifications can be used forother Australian wood matured fortifieds, notably Tawny Port.
