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MuscatFortifed Wine
Muscat
Muscats
The muscat grapeis of the species Vitis vinifera and is one of the most widely grown for wine production. This particluar grape variety ranges in color from white to a blackish color, but almost always have a pronounced sweet floral aroma. Muscat grapes are grown globally in some of the key wine producing regions these include, Romania, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Australia, Hungary, California, and Canada. The breadth and number of varieties of muscat suggest that it is very old, perhaps the oldest domesticated grape variety.
Muscat is widely grown in Europe especially in regions of Spain and Portugal, where they are known as Moscatel or Muscatel. Among these is a sweet fortified wine called Moscatel de Setubal which hails 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 this has become in very short supply over the last century.
The Australia, vinters in Rutherglen use the muscat grape to make a very popular fortified wine of the same name using the solera system. Muscat grapes are one of the major varieties grown for table wine in Chile, and is a minor variety in California and Italy.
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Muscat wine is also the basis for the brandy like Pisco, made in Peru and Chile, and Metaxa, a liqueur made in Greece and a variety of muscat is one of only 3 grapes allowed for sherry making
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Muscat Ottonel is also successfully grown by vineyards in the New York State region of Finger Lakes and is being produced into a Alsatian styled wine by McGregor Vineyard Winery on Keuka Lake.
Muscat grapes are 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 and in Italy, it is widely used in sweeter sparkling wines like Asti. Their quality makes many wines made from Muscat easy to identify.
Muscat Wines by location
Australia
Brown Muscat has pride of place in north-east Victoria's Rutherglen district, it is classes as one of the best fortified wines in the world. good quality Muscats are 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 the Australian Muscats, these fortified wines quality all on there own while Constantia is known for late-harvest Muscat that stands on its own.
United States
Muscat wines that originate from California include the Muscat de Beulieu, which is a fortified wine from the Napa Valley, the Conundrum wine, which is a mix of Muscat, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
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.
 
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