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The Muscat family of grapes includes over 200 grape varieties belonging to the '' Vitis vinifera'' species that have been used in wine production and as raisin and
table grapes Table grapes are grapes intended for consumption while fresh, as opposed to grapes grown for wine production, juice production, or for drying into raisins. ''Vitis vinifera'' table grapes can be in the form of either seeded or non-seeded varieta ...
around the globe for many centuries. Their colors range from white (such as '' Muscat Ottonel''), to yellow ('' Moscato Giallo''), to pink (''
Moscato rosa del Trentino Moscato may refer to: * Muscat (grape), a family of grapes used in wine-making * Moscato d'Asti, an Italian sparkling wine * Moscato Giallo, a variety of grape *Moscato (surname) Moscato is a surname. Notable people with the name include: *Carmeli ...
'') to near black (''
Muscat Hamburg Black Muscat (or Muscat Hamburg) is a red ''Vitis vinifera'' grape variety derived from the crossing of the Schiava Grossa and Muscat of Alexandria by Seward Snow, Head Gardener to Earl de Grey at Wrest Park, Bedfordshire UK in 1850, according t ...
''). Muscat grapes and wines almost always have a pronounced floral aroma. The breadth and number of varieties of Muscat suggest that it is perhaps the oldest domesticated grape variety, and there are theories that most families within the ''Vitis vinifera'' grape variety are descended from the Muscat variety.J. Robinson: ''Vines Grapes & Wines'', p. 183. Mitchell Beazley 1986 . Among the most notable members of the Muscat family are '' Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'', which is the primary grape variety used in the production of the Italian sparkling wine ''
Asti Asti ( , , ; pms, Ast ) is a ''comune'' of 74,348 inhabitants (1-1-2021) located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, about east of Turin in the plain of the Tanaro River. It is the capital of the province of Asti and it is deemed t ...
'' (also known as ''Moscato Asti'') made in the Piedmont region. It is also used in the production of many of the
French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
fortified wine Fortified wine is a wine to which a distilled spirit, usually brandy, has been added. In the course of some centuries, winemakers have developed many different styles of fortified wine, including port, sherry, madeira, Marsala, Commanda ...
s known as ''
vin doux naturels Fortified wine is a wine to which a distilled spirit, usually brandy, has been added. In the course of some centuries, winemakers have developed many different styles of fortified wine, including port, sherry, madeira, Marsala, Commandar ...
''. In
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, this is also the main grape used in the production of '' Liqueur Muscat'', from the Victorian wine region of Rutherglen. Young, unaged and unfortified examples of ''Muscat blanc'' tend to exhibit the characteristic Muscat "grapey" aroma as well as citrus, rose and peach notes. Fortified and aged examples (particularly those that have been
barrel A barrel or cask is a hollow cylindrical container with a bulging center, longer than it is wide. They are traditionally made of wooden staves and bound by wooden or metal hoops. The word vat is often used for large containers for liquids, ...
aged) tend to be very dark in color due to oxidation with aroma notes of coffee, fruit cake, raisins and toffee.Wine & Spirits Education Trust: ''Wine and Spirits: Understanding Wine Quality'', pp. 6–9, Second Revised Edition (2012), London, . Muscat of Alexandria is another Muscat variety commonly used in the production of French ''vin doux naturel'', but it is also found in Spain, where it is used to make many of the fortified Spanish Moscatels. Elsewhere it is used to make off-dry to sweet white wines, often labeled as ''Moscato'' in Australia, California and South Africa. In Alsace and parts of Central Europe, Muscat Ottonel is used to produce usually dry and highly perfumed wines.


History

Theories about the origins of Muscat grapes date ancestors of the varieties back to the ancient Egyptians and Persians of early antiquity (c. 3000-1000 BC) while some
ampelographers Ampelography ( ἄμπελος, "vine" + γράφος, "writing") is the field of botany concerned with the identification and classification of grapevines, ''Vitis'' spp. Traditionally this has been done by comparing the shape and colour of the ...
, such as Pierre Galet, believe that the family of Muscat varieties were propagated during the period of classical antiquity (c. 800 BC to 600 AD) by the Greeks and Romans. However, while domestic wine production had a long history in ancient Egypt and Persia and classical writers such as Columella and Pliny the Elder did describe very "muscat-like" grape varieties such as ''Anathelicon Moschaton'' and ''Apianae'' that were very sweet and attractive to bees ( Latin ''apis''), there is no solid historical evidence that these early wine grapes were members of the Muscat family.J. Robinson, J. Harding and J. Vouillamoz: ''Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours'', pp. 678-696. Allen Lane 2012 . The first documented mention of grapes called "muscat" was in the works of the English Franciscan scholar Bartholomeus Anglicus who wrote of wine made from Muscat grapes in his work ''De proprietatibus rerum'' written between 1230 and 1240 while Anglicus was studying in what is now modern Saxony in Germany. Anglicus' Latin work was translated into
French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
in 1372 with the wine being described by Anglicus as ''"vin extrait de raisins muscats"''.


Origins of the name "Muscat"

Because the exact origins of the Muscat family cannot be pinpointed, theories as to the origin of the name "Muscat" are numerous. The most commonly cited is that it is derived from the Persian word ''muchk''. Similar etymology follows the Greek ''moskos'', Latin ''muscus'' and French ''musc''. In Italy, the Italian word ''mosca'' for
fly Flies are insects of the Order (biology), order Diptera, the name being derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek δι- ''di-'' "two", and πτερόν ''pteron'' "wing". Insects of this order use only a single pair of wings to fly, the hindwing ...
could also be one possibility with the sweet aroma and high
sugar levels Sugars in wine are at the heart of what makes winemaking possible. During the process of fermentation, sugars from wine grapes are broken down and converted by yeast into alcohol (ethanol) and carbon dioxide. Grapes accumulate sugars as they grow ...
of Muscat grapes being a common attractant for insects such as fruit flies.J. Robinson (ed): ''"The Oxford Companion to Wine"'', Third Edition, pp. 35, 100, 450, 453, 463-466. Oxford University Press 2006 . Other theories suggest that the grape family originated in the Arabian country of Oman and was named after the city of Muscat located on the coast of the
Gulf of Oman The Gulf of Oman or Sea of Oman ( ar, خليج عمان ''khalīj ʿumān''; fa, دریای عمان ''daryâ-ye omân''), also known as Gulf of Makran or Sea of Makran ( ar, خلیج مکران ''khalīj makrān''; fa, دریای مکرا ...
. Another city that is sometimes suggested as a potential birthplace/namesake is the Greek city of Moschato, located southwest of Athens in Attica with ''Moschato'' being a common synonym in Greece for Muscat varieties.


Closely related varieties

Of the more than 200 grape varieties sharing "Muscat" (or one of its synonyms) in their name, the majority are not closely related to each other. The exception are the members of the ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' and Muscat of Alexandria families. In the early 21st century,
DNA analysis Genetic testing, also known as DNA testing, is used to identify changes in DNA sequence or chromosome structure. Genetic testing can also include measuring the results of genetic changes, such as RNA analysis as an output of gene expression, or ...
showed that Muscat of Alexandria was, itself, a
natural crossing The propagation of grapevines is an important consideration in commercial viticulture and winemaking. Grapevines, most of which belong to the ''Vitis vinifera'' family, produce one crop of fruit each growing season with a limited life span for indi ...
of ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' and a black-skinned table grape variety from the
Greek islands Greece has many islands, with estimates ranging from somewhere around 1,200 to 6,000, depending on the minimum size to take into account. The number of inhabited islands is variously cited as between 166 and 227. The largest Greek island by a ...
known as '' Axina de Tres Bias''. Rarely seen outside of Greece, ''Axina de Tres Bias'' (also known as "''Heftakilo''") is also grown in Malta and Sardinia. ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' and Muscat of Alexandria, themselves, have crossed and have produced at least 14 different grape varieties, 5 of which are mostly cultivated in South America and 9 still found in Italy though none are of major use in wine production. More notable and widely planted offspring have come from ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' and Muscat of Alexandria crossing with other grape varieties, such as the
Argentine wine Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world.H. Johnson & J. Robinson ''The World Atlas of Wine'' pg 300-301 Mitchell Beazley Publishing 2005 Argentine wine, as with some aspects of Argentine cuisine, has its roots in Spain. Dur ...
grapes of ''
Cereza Cereza (Spanish for "cherry") is a white Argentine wine grape variety. Like Gewürztraminer and Pinot gris, Cereza is a pink skinned variety.J. Robinson ''Jancis Robinson's Wine Course'' Third Edition pg 101 Abbeville Press 2003 J. Robinson ''Jan ...
'', ''
Torrontés Riojano Torrontés is a white grape variety, mostly produced and known in Argentine wine, producing fresh, aromatic wines with moderate acidity, smooth texture and mouthfeel as well as distinctive peach and apricot aromas on the nose.Robinson, Jancis '' ...
'' and ''
Torrontés Sanjuanino Torrontés is a white grape variety, mostly produced and known in Argentine wine, producing fresh, aromatic wines with moderate acidity, smooth texture and mouthfeel as well as distinctive peach and apricot aromas on the nose.Robinson, Jancis ''V ...
'', stemming from a cross of Muscat of Alexandria with "''
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''" (also known as the "
Mission grape Mission grapes are a variety of ''Vitis vinifera'' introduced from Spain to the western coasts of North and South America by Catholic New World missionaries for use in making sacramental, table, and fortified wines. It is grown in South America, ...
") Muscat of Alexandria has also been crossed with the
German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...
/ Italian wine grape '' Trollinger'' (also known as "''Schiava Grossa''") to produce
Muscat of Hamburg Black Muscat (or Muscat Hamburg) is a red ''Vitis vinifera'' grape variety derived from the crossing of the Schiava Grossa and Muscat of Alexandria by Seward Snow, Head Gardener to Earl de Grey at Wrest Park, Bedfordshire UK in 1850, according t ...
and '' Malvasia del Lazio'', and with the Italian wine grapes ''
Catarratto bianco Catarratto is a white Italian wine grape (wine), grape planted primarily in Sicily where it is the most widely planted grape. Catarratto can make body (wine), full bodied wines with lemon notes.J. Robinson: ''Jancis Robinson's Wine Course'' Third ...
'' and '' Bombino bianco'' to produce the
Marsala wine Marsala is a fortified wine, dry or sweet, produced in the region surrounding the Italian city of Marsala in Sicily. Marsala first received ''Denominazione di Origine Controllata'' (DOC) status in 1969. The European Union grants Protected Desi ...
grape ''
Grillo Grillo, also known as Riddu and Rossese bianco, is a white Italian wine grape variety that withstands high temperatures and is widely used in Sicilian winemaking and, in particular, for making Marsala. Its origins are uncertain, but it may ha ...
'' and ''
Moscatello Selvatico Aleatico is a red Italian wine grape variety. It is notable for being the primary grape in the cult wine Aleatico di Portoferraio made in Elba. In Chile is known as Red Moscatel. The grape has also been cultivated at Mudgee in New South Wales a ...
'', respectively. ''Muscat Ottonel'' is the result of a crossing between one Muscat variety, "''
Muscat d'Eisenstadt Muscat d'Eisenstadt (also known as Muscat de Saumur and Muscat Précoce de Saumur) is a white variety of grape of French origin. It was first cultivated in 1842 by Auguste Courtiller (1795–1875), who created it by selecting seedlings from a P ...
''" (also known as "''Muscat de Saumur''"), with the Swiss wine grape ''
Chasselas Chasselas or Chasselas blanc is a wine grape variety grown mainly in Switzerland, France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, New Zealand, Croatia and Chile. Chasselas is mostly vinified to be a full, dry and fruity white wine. It is als ...
'' ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' has been identified as one of the parent grapes of several varieties, though with which crossing partner is currently unknown. These include the
Italian wine grapes References Supplemental references used for chart *J. Robinson, J. Harding and J. Vouillamoz ''Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours'' pgs XXVIII-XXX Allen Lane 2012 {{DEFAULTSORT:Itali ...
''
Aleatico Aleatico is a red Italian wine grape variety. It is notable for being the primary grape in the cult wine Aleatico di Portoferraio made in Elba. In Chile is known as Red Moscatel. The grape has also been cultivated at Mudgee in New South Wales a ...
'', '' Moscato Giallo'' (Yellow Moscato), ''
Moscato rosa del Trentino Moscato may refer to: * Muscat (grape), a family of grapes used in wine-making * Moscato d'Asti, an Italian sparkling wine * Moscato Giallo, a variety of grape *Moscato (surname) Moscato is a surname. Notable people with the name include: *Carmeli ...
'' (Pink Moscato of Trentino) and ''
Moscato di Scanzo Moscato may refer to: *Muscat (grape), a family of grapes used in wine-making *Moscato d'Asti, an Italian sparkling wine *Moscato Giallo Moscato Giallo or Yellow Muscat is a white Italian wine grape variety that is a member of the Muscat family ...
''. DNA analysis was able to identify the
Tuscan wine Tuscan wine (Italian ''Toscana'') is Italian wine from the Tuscany region. Located in central Italy along the Tyrrhenian coast, Tuscany is home to some of the world's most notable wine regions. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di ...
grape ''
Mammolo Mammolo is a red Italian wine grape that is planted primarily in Tuscany. While its use has been diminishing, Mammolo was historically included in the blended Sangiovese-based wines of Chianti where it contributed a distinctive violet or ''mammol ...
'' as the second parent variety that crossed with ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' to produce ''
Muscat rouge de Madère Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate wa ...
'' (Red Muscat of Madère).


Characteristic aromas and confusion with other grapes

Despite the vast diversity in the Muscat family, one common trait that can be seen in most all Muscat members is the characteristic floral, " grapey"
aroma note The aromas of wine are more diverse than its flavours. The human tongue is limited to the primary tastes perceived by taste receptors on the tongue – sourness, bitterness, saltiness, sweetness and savouriness. The wide array of fruit, e ...
that is caused by the high concentration of
monoterpenes Monoterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of two isoprene units and have the molecular formula C10H16. Monoterpenes may be linear (acyclic) or contain rings (monocyclic and bicyclic). Modified terpenes, such as those containing oxygen funct ...
in the grapes. More than 40 different monoterpenes have been discovered in Muscat grapes (as well as in other aromatic varieties like Riesling and Gewürztraminer); these include citronellol, geraniol, linalool and nerol. This characteristic "musk" aroma can be best observed in light bodied, low
alcohol Alcohol most commonly refers to: * Alcohol (chemistry), an organic compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom * Alcohol (drug), an intoxicant found in alcoholic drinks Alcohol may also refer to: Chemicals * Ethanol, one of sev ...
wines such as
Moscato Asti Moscato d'Asti is a DOCG sparkling white wine made from the Moscato bianco grape and produced mainly in the province of Asti, northwest Italy, and in smaller nearby regions in the provinces of Alessandria and Cuneo. The wine is sweet and low i ...
which have not had their bouquet heavily influenced by other winemaking techniques like
oak aging Oak is used in winemaking to vary the color, flavor, tannin profile and texture of wine. It can be introduced in the form of a barrel during the fermentation or aging periods, or as free-floating chips or staves added to wine fermented in a vess ...
, autolysis with yeast, malolactic fermentation or fortification. However, this common "musky" (French: ''musqué'') trait has caused some confusion as varieties that are wholly unrelated to the Muscat family are often erroneously associated with Muscat grapes (often by naming and synonyms) due to their aromatic character. These include the German wine grape
Morio Muskat Morio Muscat (also known as ''Morio-Muskat'') is a white wine grape that was created by viticulturalist Peter Morio at the Geilweilerhof Institute for Grape Breeding in the Palatinate in 1928. He claimed to have crossed the varieties Silvane ...
which, despite its name, is not related to the Muscat family and is, instead, a crossing of Silvaner x Pinot blanc. Likewise, the highly aromatic clonal mutation of several wine grape varieties such as
Sauvignon blanc is a green-skinned grape variety that originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French words ''sauvage'' ("wild") and ''blanc'' ("white") due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in ...
,
Chasselas Chasselas or Chasselas blanc is a wine grape variety grown mainly in Switzerland, France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, New Zealand, Croatia and Chile. Chasselas is mostly vinified to be a full, dry and fruity white wine. It is als ...
and
Chardonnay Chardonnay (, , ) is a green-skinned grape variety used in the production of white wine. The variety originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern French wine, France, but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from English wine, Englan ...
are often suffixed with ''Musqué'' which can add confusion to their relationship with the Muscat family. Additionally, the Bordeaux wine grape Muscadelle that is used for both sweet and
dry wines The subjective sweetness of a wine is determined by the interaction of several factors, including the amount of sugar in the wine, but also the relative levels of alcohol, acids, and tannins. Sugars and alcohol enhance a wine's sweetness, wh ...
is often mistaken for a Muscat variety due to its aromatic qualities. While made from a more aromatically neutral grape, Melon de Bourgogne grape, the Loire wine Muscadet is sometimes mistakenly believed to be made from a member of the Muscat family. Lastly, the Muscat grape can be confused (in name only; the grapes themselves are quite different) with Vitis rotundifolia, which is commonly known as a " muscadine" grape.


Key varieties

The "Muscat family" is highly populous, with more than 200 distinct members. However, among these many different grapes only a handful of Muscat varieties are widely used in wine production. These include '' Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'', Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat of Scanzorosciate,
Muscat of Hamburg Black Muscat (or Muscat Hamburg) is a red ''Vitis vinifera'' grape variety derived from the crossing of the Schiava Grossa and Muscat of Alexandria by Seward Snow, Head Gardener to Earl de Grey at Wrest Park, Bedfordshire UK in 1850, according t ...
and '' Muscat Ottonel''.


''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains''

''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' is known by many names worldwide, including ''Muscat Blanc'' (white Muscat) in France and the United States), ''Muscat Canelli'' in the United States, ''Moscato Bianco'' (white Moscato) in Italy, ''Muscat Frontignan'' in South Africa, ''Moschato'' in Greece, ''Brown Muscat'' in
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, ''Muskateller'' in Germany and Austria, ''Muscat de Grano Menudo'' in Spain, and ''Muscat de Frontignan'' and ''Muscat Lunel'' in France. While the "''petits grains''" in the grape's name accurately describes the small, round berries of the vine, some wine experts, such as Oz Clarke, believe that the term "''Muscat blanc''" is misleading, since the grapevine is notorious for its frequent color mutations siring clusters of berries in nearly every shade possible though most commonly the grape berries are a deep yellow after veraison. In some vineyards, vines of ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' are known to produce clusters of berries of different colors that change every vintage.Oz Clarke: ''Encyclopedia of Grapes'', pp. 146-153. Harcourt Books 2001 . The precise origins of ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' are not known, though Greece and Italy can both make compelling cases due to the proliferation of clones, mutations and offspring. Today, the grape is found throughout the wine-producing world, making a wide range of wine, from light, sweet sparkling and semi-sparkling ''
Asti Asti ( , , ; pms, Ast ) is a ''comune'' of 74,348 inhabitants (1-1-2021) located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, about east of Turin in the plain of the Tanaro River. It is the capital of the province of Asti and it is deemed t ...
'' and '' Moscato d'Asti'' wine in the Piedmont wine region of Italy and
Clairette de Die Clairette de Die AOC is a natural sparkling white wine from the Rhône Valley region in France. It is made from the Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (75% minimum) and Clairette (25% maximum) grape varieties.
region of France,
fortified A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''facere'' ...
'' vin doux naturels'' (VdN) in southern France in AOC regions such as ''
Muscat de Beaume de Venise Beaumes de Venise is an appellation of wines from the eastern central region of the southern half of the Rhône Valley. It produces wines of two distinctly different types: 1. A sweet fortified wine of the type ''vin doux naturel'' (VDN), under ...
'', ''
Muscat de Saint-Jean de Minervois Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate was 1 ...
'' and '' Muscat de Frontignan'', fortified '' Liqueur Muscat'' in the Rutherglen wine region in Australia, to dry wines in the ''
Wachau wine Wachau is one of Austria's most established and notable wine regions, specializing in dry wines made from Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. Located in Lower Austria along the Danube, west of Vienna and Krems an der Donau, it is one of the westernm ...
'' of Austria and
Südsteiermark Austrian wines are mostly dry white wines (often made from the Grüner Veltliner grape), though some sweeter white wines (such as dessert wines made around the Neusiedler See) are also produced. About 30% of the wines are red, made from Blauf ...
. Nearly all the most notable sweet Muscats of Greece, particularly those from the island of Samos and the city of
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on the
Peloponnese The Peloponnese (), Peloponnesus (; el, Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnēsos,(), or Morea is a peninsula and geographic regions of Greece, geographic region in southern Greece. It is connected to the central part of the country by the Isthmu ...
are made from ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains''. In the
history of South African wine The early history of the South African wine industry (also known as New World wine) can be traced to the founding of a supply station at the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch East India Company. Jan van Riebeeck was given the task of managing the ...
, the famous dessert wine of Constantia was made from this variety of Muscat and while today Muscat of Alexandria is more widely planted in South Africa, producers around Constantia are trying to reclaim some of the region's viticultural acclaim by replanting more ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' and making wines in the style of the original Constantia.


Muscat of Alexandria

While the grape's name harkens to the city of Alexandria and suggest an ancient Egyptian origin, DNA analysis has shown that Muscat of Alexandria is the result of a natural crossing between ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'' and the Greek wine grape ''Axina de Tres Bias''. Though as ''Axina de Tres Bias'' has also been historically grown in Sardinia and Malta, the precise location and origins of Muscat of Alexandria cannot be determined. Compared to ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'', Muscat of Alexandria tends to produce large, moderately loose clusters of large oval-shaped berries that are distinctive from the much smaller, round berries of ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains''. Like most Muscat varieties, Muscat of Alexandria is notable for being a desirable raisin and table grape. This is due in part to the grape's high tolerance of heat and drought conditions. While it is used in wine production (most notably on the island of Pantelleria between Sicily and Tunisia, where it makes a ''
passito Straw wine, or raisin wine, is a wine made from grapes that have been dried to concentrate their juice. The result is similar to that of the ice wine process, but is a much older process and suitable for warm climates. The technique dates back ...
'' style dessert wine under the name of "Zibibbo"), the grape lags far behind the reputation of ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains''. This is partly because Muscat of Alexandria is very vigorous and prone to produce high yields that can be easily overcropped as well as a more assertive aroma profile due to a higher concentration of the monoterpene geraniol, which produces a
geranium ''Geranium'' is a genus of 422 species of annual, biennial, and perennial plants that are commonly known as geraniums or cranesbills. They are found throughout the temperate regions of the world and the mountains of the tropics, but mostly in ...
scent, and lower concentration of nerol which a more fresh, sweet rose aroma. In France, Muscat of Alexandria is most prominent as a blending component (with ''Muscat blanc à Petits Grains'') in the VdN wines of
Muscat de Rivesaltes AOC Muscat de Rivesaltes is an ''Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée'' (AOC) for fortified wines (of the type ''vin doux naturel'') made in the Roussillon wine region of France. They are similar to Rivesaltes AOC wines, except for the grape varieties u ...
in the
Roussillon wine Languedoc-Roussillon wine, including the ''vin de pays'' labeled ''Vin de Pays d'Oc'', is produced in southern France. While "Languedoc" can refer to a specific historic region of France and Northern Catalonia, usage since the 20th century (esp ...
region. The grape is the primary Muscat variety in Spain, where it is known as ''Moscatel'', though the majority of the country's plantings are used for table grapes and raisins, rather than for wine production. Likewise, in Chile, and Peru most of the Moscatel in both countries is used to produce the
distilled drink Liquor (or a spirit) is an alcoholic drink produced by distillation of grains, fruits, vegetables, or sugar, that have already gone through alcoholic fermentation. Other terms for liquor include: spirit drink, distilled beverage or hard li ...
" pisco". In South Africa, Muscat of Alexandria is known as "''Hanepoot''" and was the fourth-most widely planted white wine grape variety in the country until the early 2000s. While some of the plantings were used for wine production, particularly for fortified wine, many plantings were used for the production of
grape concentrate A concentrate is a form of substance that has had the majority of its base component (in the case of a liquid: the solvent) removed. Typically, this will be the removal of water from a solution or suspension, such as the removal of water from fru ...
and raisins. In California, there is still more plantings of Muscat of Alexandria than any other Muscat variety, with most of these grapes going into anonymous
jug wines "Jug wine" is a term in the United States for inexpensive table wine (or "bulk wine") typically bottled in a glass bottle or jug. Historically, jug wines were labeled semi-generically, often sold to third parties to be relabeled, or sold direct ...
from the Central Valley. As in many other places in the world, the grape had a long history of use in the United States as a raisin variety, though in the 1920s, plantings of Muscat of Alexandria began to decline as producers turned to more popular
seedless grape A seedless fruit is a fruit developed to possess no mature seeds. Since eating seedless fruits is generally easier and more convenient, they are considered commercially valuable. Most commercially produced seedless fruits have been developed from ...
varieties.


Muscat of Hamburg

Even though the vast majority of the members of the Muscat family are dark skinned grapes, most of the major varieties used in wine production are white or "pale skinned", with the one significant exception of
Muscat of Hamburg Black Muscat (or Muscat Hamburg) is a red ''Vitis vinifera'' grape variety derived from the crossing of the Schiava Grossa and Muscat of Alexandria by Seward Snow, Head Gardener to Earl de Grey at Wrest Park, Bedfordshire UK in 1850, according t ...
, which is also known as ''Black Muscat''. This dark-skinned grape is believed to have originated in the
Victorian Victorian or Victorians may refer to: 19th century * Victorian era, British history during Queen Victoria's 19th-century reign ** Victorian architecture ** Victorian house ** Victorian decorative arts ** Victorian fashion ** Victorian literature ...
greenhouses A greenhouse (also called a glasshouse, or, if with sufficient heating, a hothouse) is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown.These s ...
of England, where it was first described in 1858 as being propagated by Seward Snow, gardener to the
Earl de Grey Earl de Grey, of Wrest Park, Wrest in the County of Bedford, was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. History The title was created on 25 October 1816 (as Countess de Grey) for Amabel Hume-Campbell, 1st Countess de Grey, Amabell Hume- ...
. Snow described the grape as a seedling that he created from crossing the Black Hamburg grape (an old synonym of '' Schiava Grossa'') with the White Muscat of Alexandria. In 2003, DNA analysis confirmed that Muscat of Hamburg was, indeed, a crossing of Muscat of Alexandria and Schiava Grossa, which makes the grape a full sibling to the central Italian grape '' Malvasia del Lazio'' which has the same parentage. While Muscat of Hamburg is used mostly as a table grape throughout the world, there are two notable exceptions. The first is in California, where nearly all of the of Black Muscat in cultivation in 2009 were destined for wine production, primarily to produce dessert wines. The other exception is in
China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...
, where Muscat of Hamburg is often crossed with '' Vitis amurensis'' species that are native to the region to produce wine grapes that are better adapted to the climate of various Chinese wine regions.


''Muscat Ottonel''

Like Muscat of Hamburg, ''Muscat Ottonel'' is a relatively recent addition to the Muscat family, being bred in the Loire Valley wine region of France in the 1850s. The grape is a cross of the Swiss wine grape ''
Chasselas Chasselas or Chasselas blanc is a wine grape variety grown mainly in Switzerland, France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, New Zealand, Croatia and Chile. Chasselas is mostly vinified to be a full, dry and fruity white wine. It is als ...
'' and ''
Muscat d'Eisenstadt Muscat d'Eisenstadt (also known as Muscat de Saumur and Muscat Précoce de Saumur) is a white variety of grape of French origin. It was first cultivated in 1842 by Auguste Courtiller (1795–1875), who created it by selecting seedlings from a P ...
'' (also known as ''Muscat de Saumur''). Of all of the major Muscat varieties, ''Muscat Ottonel'' has the most pale skin color, and tends to produce the most neutral wines and is also the grape variety that ripens the earliest. While varieties such as Muscat of Alexandria tend to thrive in very warm
Mediterranean climates A Mediterranean climate (also called a dry summer temperate climate ''Cs'') is a temperate climate sub-type, generally characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, fairly wet winters; these weather conditions are typically experienced in the ...
, Muscat of Ottonel has shown an affinity for ripening in cooler continental climates, and has found a home in many Central European nations, such as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania and many former republic of the Soviet Union, such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine. It is also the primary Muscat variety grown in the French region of Alsace, where it is used to produce both dry and off-dry styles. In Austria, it is also the most widely planted Muscat variety, where it is used to produce
late-harvest wines Late harvest wine is wine made from grapes left on the vine longer than usual. ''Late harvest'' is usually an indication of a sweet dessert wine, such as late harvest Riesling. Late harvest grapes are often more similar to raisins, but have been ...
around Lake Neusiedl.


Other notable varieties

*
Canada Muscat Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by total ...
*
Early Muscat Early may refer to: History * The beginning or oldest part of a defined historical period, as opposed to middle or late periods, e.g.: ** Early Christianity ** Early modern Europe Places in the United States * Early, Iowa * Early, Texas * E ...
* Golden Muscat * '' Manzoni Moscato'' * ''
Moscatello Selvatico Aleatico is a red Italian wine grape variety. It is notable for being the primary grape in the cult wine Aleatico di Portoferraio made in Elba. In Chile is known as Red Moscatel. The grape has also been cultivated at Mudgee in New South Wales a ...
'' * ''
Moscato di Scanzo Moscato may refer to: *Muscat (grape), a family of grapes used in wine-making *Moscato d'Asti, an Italian sparkling wine *Moscato Giallo Moscato Giallo or Yellow Muscat is a white Italian wine grape variety that is a member of the Muscat family ...
'' * ''
Moscato di Terracina Moscato may refer to: *Muscat (grape), a family of grapes used in wine-making *Moscato d'Asti, an Italian sparkling wine *Moscato Giallo Moscato Giallo or Yellow Muscat is a white Italian wine grape variety that is a member of the Muscat family ...
'' * '' Moscato Giallo'' (Yellow Moscato) * ''
Moscato rosa del Trentino Moscato may refer to: * Muscat (grape), a family of grapes used in wine-making * Moscato d'Asti, an Italian sparkling wine * Moscato Giallo, a variety of grape *Moscato (surname) Moscato is a surname. Notable people with the name include: *Carmeli ...
'' (Pink Moscato of Trentino) *
Muscat Bailey A Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate wa ...
* ''
Muscat bleu Muscat bleu is a red Swiss wine and table grape variety that is a hybrid of Garnier 15-6 and Perle noire. The grape was developed in Peissy in the Canton of Geneva by Swiss grape breeder Charles Garnier in the 1930s. Today the grape is used a ...
'' (Blue Muscat) * ''
Muscat d'Eisenstadt Muscat d'Eisenstadt (also known as Muscat de Saumur and Muscat Précoce de Saumur) is a white variety of grape of French origin. It was first cultivated in 1842 by Auguste Courtiller (1795–1875), who created it by selecting seedlings from a P ...
'' * ''
Muscat Fleur d'Oranger Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate was ...
'' *
Muscat Odessky Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate was 1 ...
*
Muscat of Norway Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate was 1 ...
*
Muscat Oliver Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate was 1 ...
* ''
Muscat Rose à Petits Grains Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate was 1 ...
'' * ''
Muscat Rouge à Petits Grains Muscat Rouge à Petits Grains is a wine grape for white wine that is a member of the Muscat family of ''Vitis vinifera''. Its name comes from its characteristic small berry size and tight clusters, and from its skin colour. It's a variation of th ...
'' * ''
Muscat Swenson Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate wa ...
'' * '' Muškát moravský'' *
New York Muscat New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
*
Riesling Muscat Riesling (, ; ) is a white grape variety that originated in the Rhine region. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet, and sparkling wh ...


Synonyms

While each individual Muscat variety has its own set of synonyms, the general prefix of "Muscat" has its own unique translation around the globe. In Greece, the grapes are usually known as "''Moschato''" or "''Moschoudia''", while in Italy, they are known as "''Moscato''" or "''Moscatello''". On the Iberian peninsula, Portuguese and Spanish Muscat grapes are often prefixed as "''Moscatel''", while in Germany, the grapes are usually known as "''Muskat''" or "''Muskateller''". In Central Europe, the family of Muscat varieties are known as "''Misket''" in Bulgaria and Turkey, "''Muškat''" in Croatia and "''Muskatoly''" or "''Muskotály''" in Hungary. In the northern African wine regions of Tunisia, the grapes are often known as "''Meski''".


See also

*
International variety An international variety is a grape variety that is widely planted in most of the major wine producing regions and has widespread appeal and consumer recognition. These are grapes that are highly likely to appear on wine labels as varietal wines ...


References

{{Authority control Dessert wine Fortified wine Portuguese wine Wine grapes of Slovenia White wine grape varieties Wine grapes of Italy Grape varieties of Greece