Beginner Muscat (without Training Wheels)

BV (Beaulieu Vineyard), Muscat de Beaulieu NV ($8 for 375ml) -- California. I have been partial to BV as it is probably the first wine I remember tasting back in Los Angeles as a teenager in the early 70's. Then, I had no idea that the 1968 Private Reserve Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon was a pretty decent wine. I was a kid. Who knew! (I saw it last week for sale on-line for $250.)

Having recently delved into the world of dessert wines (Ports, Madeiras, Tokays), I came across this little bottle with the familiar name. It is not as complex as the other wines I have sampled lately, but would be a good start and, for the same cost as two combo meals at Wendys, is an economical introduction to Muscat. I do not imply that this wine is low-end and not well made, but compared to other dessert wines costing two to ten times as much, it is not in the same league. At the beginning the flavors and taste are there and then it shuts down, while the more expensive wines keep going and flourish and add complexity and drip over the tongue.

I like this wine and think it is a great beginning in your exploration of Muscats and Tokays.