The Muscat family of grapes include over 200 grape varieties belonging to the Vitis vinifera species that have been used in wine production and as raisin and table grapes around the globe for many centuries. Their colors ranges from white (such as Muscat Ottonel), to yellow (Moscato Giallo), to pink (Moscato rosa del Trentino) to near black (Muscat Hamburg).
Muscat grapes and wines almost always have a pronounced sweet 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.
Among the most notable members of the Muscat family include Muscat blanc a Petits Grains which is the main grape variety used in the production of the Italian sparkling wine Asti (also known as Moscato Asti) made in the Piedmont region. It is also used in the production of many of the French fortified wines known as vin doux naturels.
In Australia, 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 aged), tend to be very dark in color due to oxidation with aroma notes of coffee, fruit cake, raisins and toffee.
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The
Moscato d'Asti wine production zone is located in the hills just south of Asti
town. It measures roughly 30 miles (50km) from east to west, and covers around
50 communes of the Cuneo, Asti and Alessandria provinces. Its western limit is
the village of Serralunga d'Alba
Moscato
di Castiglione” is an indigenous white grape variety that belongs to the
ancient family of muscat It is very common in Casauria area of Abruzzo.
Rosenmuskateller is a very rare red wine variety. It belongs
to the large group of muscat varieties. In South Tyrol, the variety is
cultivated almost exclusively as a dessert wine and has thus made a name for itself
as a special feature. Today the full-bodied, aromatic and complex sweet wine
with intense rosentuft is a rare and sought-after specialty
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