|
Muscat wines have a long, rich history throughout the world. Known as Muscato in Italy and Moscatel in Iberia, the name refers to a family of
related varieties, sub-varieties and localized clones of the variety
including, but not limited to, Muscat Blanc and Muscat Canelli.
|
|
It is believed to be one of the first wine grape varieties to be
identified, and has been growing in and around the Mediterranean for
hundreds of years. Muscat is the only grape to produce Muscat wine with
the same aroma as the grape itself. Sweet fortified Muscat wines have a
classic rich, nose of dried fruits, raisins and oranges. This strong
perfume prompted the Roman author Pliny, in his "Natural History," to
declare it "the grape of the bees." The French noted the grape's musky
character and called it "Musqué."
Muscat wine makes some of the best sweet wine, both light fizzy ones
and heavy sugary ones, as well as fully dry table wines. Muscat wines,
which is long revered for its strong perfumed aroma and distinctive
musky flavor, is quite varied in its uses. In addition to the refreshing
low-alcohol, sweet and frothy Asti Spumante from Italy, Muscat is also
used as the base for many light, dry wines and for sweet dessert wines
with alcohol levels as high as 20%.
Muscat Wine Tip:
Muscat wines are sweet and is served with (or instead of) dessert.
As a rule of thumb, a dessert Muscat wine should always be sweeter
than the dessert it accompanies. |
