Muscat/Muscadelle

The muscat variety of grapes of the species Vitis vinifera is widely grown for wine, raisins and table grapes. Their color ranges from white to near black. Muscat almost always has a pronounced sweet floral aroma.

History

Muscat grapes are grown around the world, and the breadth and number of varieties of muscat suggest that it is perhaps the oldest domesticated grape variety. There are theories that most families within the Vitis vinifera grape variety are descended from the Muscat variety. Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have analyzed pots from King Midas's burial mound and determined that Muscat grapes were a key component of the alcoholic beverage served at his funeral feast. Liquid gold indeed!

In Australia

In Australia, where it is known as Tokay, the grape is used to make an increasingly popular fortified wine, sometimes known as Liqueur Tokay. Those made in the Rutherglen region generally receive considerable aging in hot cellars, leading to a maderised and oxidative character. A few other Australian wine regions, including the Barossa Valley make similar wines. A few other Australian wineries use the Muscadelle to make table wines in a similar way to French wineries.

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