Muscat (grape and wine)
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The muscat family of grapes of the species Vitis vinifera are widely grown for wine, raisins and table grapes. They range in color from white to almost black, but almost always have a pronounced sweet floral aroma. Muscat grapes are grown around the world in Romania, Italy, France, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Australia, California, Hungary, Canada and other places. The breadth and number of varieties of muscat suggest that it is very old, perhaps the oldest domesticated grape variety.
Muscat Wines
Muscat is widely grown in Portugal and Spain, where the grape and the wines produced from it are known as Moscatel or Muscatel. Among these wines is Moscatel de Setubal a sweet fortified wine from the Setúbal Peninsula in Portugal. Moscatel de Favaios is a Moscatel from the Douro Region. A Moscatel Madeira wine is also produced on the island of Madeira, although Moscatel has become increasingly rare there over the last century.A variety of muscat is one of only three grapes allowed for making sherry.
In Australia, producers in Rutherglen use muscat grapes to make a highly regarded fortified wine of the same name using the solera system [link]. Muscat grapes are one of the major varieties grown for table wine in Chile, and is a minor variety in California and Italy.
In Lithuania it is used for sparkling wine like Alita.
Muscat wine is also the basis for the brandy like Pisco, made in Peru and Chile, and Metaxa, a liqueur made in Greece.
Muscat Ottonel is also successfully grown by a few vineyards in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, USA. Currently it is produced into a Alsatian styled wine by McGregor Vineyard Winery on Keuka Lake.
Muscat is also used to make a range of French and Italian wines, such as the famous 'Muscat de Beaumes de Venise' vin doux naturel wines from the Rhone Valley in France. In Italy, it is widely used in sweeter sparkling wines like Asti. Their 'grapey' quality makes many wines made from Muscat easy to identify.
Muscat Wines by Country
Australia
Brown Muscat has pride of place in north-east Victoria's Rutherglen district, and is generally regarded to be one of the world's greatest fortified wines. High quality Muscats are also produced in other mainland states. Riverina producer Miranda makes a raisined Muscat in passito style.South Africa
Muscat is known as Muscadel or Hanepoort, and can be either red or white. Like Australian Muscats, these can be high-quality fortified wines while Constantia is known for late-harvest Muscat of great standing.United States
Muscat wines produced in California include the Muscat de Beulieu, a fortified wine from the Napa Valley and the Conundrum wine, which is a mix of Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.France
Muscat is best known for producing- Vins Doux Naturel (fortified) in Frontignan, Lunel, Mireval, St Jean De Minervois, Rivesaltes, Beaumes de Venise and Cap Corse.
- Alsace Muscat is primarily dry, but can also be made in sweeter styles (Vendange Tardive and Selection de Grains Nobles)
Italy
Muscat (Moscato) grows throughout Italy in various forms. In dessert form it is either passito or fortified, but it also appears in sparkling wines (spumante).Spain
Fortified Muscat (Moscatel) is produced in Catalonia, Valencia, Alicante, Andalucia and the Canary Islands.Portugal
Muscat (Moscatel) makes the much-revered Moscatel de Setubal and Moscatel de Favaios among others.Austria and Hungary
In both Austria and Hungary, Muscat wines ranging from dry to very sweet are produced.Romania
Romania has Muscat plantings for various dry and sweet styles.Greece
Muscat dessert wines are produced on Samos, Rhodes, Patras and Cephalonia.Cyprus
Muscat dessert wines are also produced in Cyprus, analogous to those produced in Greece.Ukraine
The Crimea region is home to dessert wines of reverence, with white, pink and black Muscat being given pride of place.North Africa
Fortified Muscat wines are produced in Tunisia and Morocco.Varieties of Muscat Grapes
- Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (also called Muscat Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Muscat Frontignan, Moscato Bianco, Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat d'Alsace, Muskateller, Muscatel de Grano Menudo, Moscatel Rosé and Sárgamuskotály). This grape is used for the wines: Asti, clairette de die, and muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise. It is also used for some Tokaji wines.
- Moscato Giallo (or Goldmuskateller) and Moscato Rosa (or Rosenmuskateller) are thought to be closely related colored versions of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.
- Moscatel de Setúbal and Moscatel de Favaios are the most widely consumed varieties in Portugal, usually served in bars or as an aperitif at restaurants.
- Muscat of Alexandria (also called Moscatel, Moscatel Romano, Moscatel de Málaga, Gordo Blanco, Hanepoot, Lexia, Moscatel Gordo, and Zibibbo) This grape is used for sherry, moscatel or muscatel wines, Muscatel de Valencia, Muscatel Passito and other Muscatel liqueurs and also as a raisin and table grape.
- Muscat Ottonel (also called Moskately) Used for dessert wines in Austria and Croatia, and dry wines in Alsace and Hungary.
- Muscat Hamburg (also called Black Muscat, Moscato di Amburgo) Used for some Eastern European wine but mainly for table grapes in Italy and Australia.
- Orange Muscat. Used for dessert wines in California and Australia. Not surprisingly, has something of an orange aroma.
- Muscat Crocant. Used for dessert wine of the same name (Muskat Krokan) in Serbia, where it grows only on Pearl Island (Biserno Ostrvo) on Tisza River.
External links
- [Muscats Du Monde] - website of an international Muscats competition.
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