{"title":"Quady Elysium Black","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"quady-elysium-black-muscat","title":"Quady Elysium Black Muscat","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuady Elysium Black Muscat\u003c\/strong\u003e is a lightly fortified California dessert wine made from 100% Black Muscat grapes, bottled at 15% ABV in a 750ml format. It earned a Gold Medal and 95 points at the 2021 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), affirming its standing as one of America's most distinctive dessert wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Madera, Central Valley, California  |  Dessert Wine  |  Producer: Quady Winery\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuady Winery, founded by Andrew Quady in Madera in California's San Joaquin Valley, has built its reputation almost entirely around aromatic dessert wines — an unusual specialty for an American producer. What distinguishes Elysium from most Muscat-based wines is its extended cold skin maceration: after crushing, the Black Muscat grapes are chilled and allowed to sit on their skins, extracting deep color and the intense aromatic compounds that the varietal is known for. This technique preserves the richness found in the grapes and is central to Elysium's remarkably concentrated flavor and garnet hue, setting it apart from pale, lighter-bodied Muscats produced elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The bouquet opens immediately with fresh rose petals and violets, followed by honeysuckle and a subtle undercurrent of black tea. The floral intensity is striking and unmistakable even from a distance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e On entry, the palate registers ripe raspberry jam and dark cherry, layered with lychee and a hint of citrus peel. Mid-palate, clove and Asian spice emerge alongside a thick, almost syrupy texture. The sweetness is generous but balanced by enough acidity to keep the wine from becoming cloying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is medium-long, carrying persistent rose and raspberry notes that gradually fade into warm raisin and dried floral tones. A gentle spice lingers at the edges, rewarding slow sipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Elysium\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElysium is best served chilled to around 50–55°F, either neat in a small tulip glass or poured over vanilla ice cream as a decadent dessert. It also works beautifully in several cocktail and mixed-drink applications:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKir Royale variation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Replace the traditional crème de cassis with a splash of Elysium in Champagne — the floral Muscat aromatics add complexity beyond a standard Kir.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpritz:\u003c\/strong\u003e Combine with sparkling water and a twist of orange peel for a lighter, lower-ABV aperitif that showcases the wine's rose and lychee character.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Muscat Sangria:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use as the sweet component in a fruit-forward sangria — its deep berry and spice notes amplify fresh summer fruit without needing added sugar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a chocolate dessert course at a dinner party\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates rare varietals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter-dinner sipping as a stand-alone dessert replacement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing someone unfamiliar with dessert wines to the category\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Elysium taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Elysium delivers rich raspberry jam and dark cherry flavors wrapped in intense rose petal and lychee aromatics, with a thick texture and warm spice on the finish. It reads as sweet but holds enough acidity to stay balanced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Elysium compare to Ruby Port?\u003c\/strong\u003e CellarTracker reviewers have noted a resemblance to Ruby Port in body and sweetness, but Elysium is markedly more floral and aromatic thanks to the Black Muscat grape's natural perfume. Ruby Port tends toward darker dried-fruit and chocolate notes with higher alcohol, while Elysium leans into rose, lychee, and fresh berry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Elysium good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e Its approachable sweetness, vivid fruit character, and relatively moderate 15% ABV make it an excellent entry point for anyone exploring dessert wines. The intense floral aromatics also make it memorable and easy to appreciate without a trained palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Elysium made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Elysium is produced at Quady Winery in Madera, located in California's Central Valley (San Joaquin Valley), a warm-climate region well suited to fully ripening aromatic grape varieties like Black Muscat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Elysium?\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark chocolate truffles work beautifully, as the wine's berry sweetness mirrors cocoa's bitterness. Fresh strawberries and cream highlight its fruit-forward side. Blue cheese (such as Roquefort) creates a classic sweet-salty contrast. Almond biscotti complement the wine's spice notes. Duck liver pâté or foie gras pairs well with Elysium's richness and floral lift.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Elysium come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Quady Elysium Black Muscat is commonly available in both 375ml half-bottles and standard 750ml bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Elysium worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Elysium positions as an accessible, moderately priced dessert wine — well below most Sauternes or aged Tawny Ports — while delivering concentration and complexity that punches above its price tier, particularly given its IWSC Gold Medal recognition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Elysium?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew American dessert wines have sustained the critical recognition that Elysium has earned over multiple vintages, including a 95-point Gold Medal at the 2021 IWSC and a 91-point rating from Wine Enthusiast for its 2007 vintage. The cold skin maceration technique Quady employs is uncommon for Muscat production and directly responsible for the wine's deep garnet color and unusually concentrated aromatic profile. Black Muscat itself is a rare varietal seldom bottled as a single-variety wine, giving Elysium a distinctiveness that is difficult to replicate. For anyone seeking a dessert wine that genuinely tastes like nothing else on the shelf, this remains one of California's most compelling originals.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Quady Elysium Black","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837371642025,"sku":"6573","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Quady-Elysium-Black-Muscat__93514.jpg?v=1730480334"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/quady-elysium-black.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}