{"id":7615,"date":"2021-07-15T14:30:15","date_gmt":"2021-07-15T13:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/?p=7615"},"modified":"2021-07-15T10:37:12","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T09:37:12","slug":"muscat-wines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/muscat-wines\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Muscat? Complete guide to the grape variety"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Surely one of the largest families of grape varieties in the world!<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>A multitude of grape varieties<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Renowned ampelographer Pierre Galet describes over 150 grape varieties that bear the name Muscat. All these grape varieties, whether white, ros\u00e9 or red, whether eaten or used to make wine, are grouped together under the name Muscat, characterized by their muscat-like aromas reminiscent of Musc (an animal substance often used to produce perfumes).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Muscat grapes can be vinified to produce dry, sweet or sparkling wines.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Each is different, depending on the country of production and the winemaking method used.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>The origins of Muscat<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">There are two distinct families of Muscat. Muscat from Vitis vinifera (the vine) or hybrid Muscat (a cross between different vines).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In the Vitis vinifera family, we find Muscat \u00e0 petit grain, without doubt the oldest Muscat. Originally from Greece, it is now found all over the world, especially in France, where it produces wines such as Muscat de Frontignan. In Germany, it's known as Muskateller. It is also planted in Italy to produce Moscato d'Asti.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Still in the same family, Muscat d'Alexandrie, originally from Egypt as its name suggests, is also a grape variety that has been duplicated all over the world. We find it in Australia under the name Lexia and in Spain, where it produces Moscatel.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Muscat Ottonel is the latest addition to the hybrid family. Used to vinify Alsace wines, it is a cross between Chasselas and Muscat de Saumur.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Muscat in France<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">It is found mainly in the warmer regions of southern France, as well as in Alsace, where it is one of the noble grape varieties.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Muscat d'Alsace<\/b><\/i> has a singularity. It may come from Muscat Ottonel (a cross between Chasselas and Muscat de Saumur) and\/or Muscat \u00e0 petit grain. Its other distinctive feature is that it is vinified as a dry wine. It therefore unfurls its full aromatic palette of muscat fruit and spices, but with lovely balance and freshness.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Clairette de Die<\/b><\/i> also comes from Muscat. This time, it's Muscat \u00e0 petit grain, but can be blended with Clairette Blanche, which adds a little finesse to the wine.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Muscat de Frontignant<\/b><\/i> is also made from Muscat \u00e0 petit grain grapes. Almost all the vines are located in the commune of Frontignan. The grapes must have a minimum of 252 grams of sugar before harvest to qualify for the appellation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Muscat de Beaumes de Venise<\/b><\/i> is one of two Rh\u00f4ne Valley appellations, along with Rasteau, to offer a natural sweet wine. This time, Muscat \u00e0 petit grain grapes come in white and red. It is therefore possible to vinify white, red and ros\u00e9 wines. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As with Frontignan, Muscat must contain 252 grams of sugar before it can be harvested.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><i><b style=\"color: #000000; font-size: medium;\">Muscat de <\/b><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: medium;\"><b>Rivesaltes<\/b><\/span><b style=\"color: #000000; font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/b><\/i><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: medium;\">may be a blend of Muscat \u00e0 petit Grain blanc and Muscat d'Alexandrie Blanc. Grape ripeness is identical to that of previous Muscat wines. <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Ageing for a minimum of 12 months makes Rivesaltes Muscat wines complex and full of character.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">You can also find Muscat under the appellation <b>Vin de Pays d'Oc<\/b>. These wines are also made from Muscat \u00e0 Petit Grain and\/or Alexandria grapes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"JUSTIFY\">What to eat with a Muscat wine?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/toute-la-cave\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7559 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/meilleur-vin-accord-mets-et-vin.jpg\" alt=\"best-wine-accord-mets-and-wine\" width=\"650\" height=\"275\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>As an aperitif, small bites of salad and cheese<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Nothing recalls the freshness and fruitiness of a Muscat du Pays d'Oc like a leaf of endive accompanied by a piece of cheese. The greediness and exuberance of the Muscat will round out the bitterness of the endive and the character of the cheese.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Asparagus! <\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Tradition has it that asparagus is synonymous with Muscat d'Alsace. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The fruity, floral and dry notes will give a boost and counterbalance the bitterness of white or violet asparagus.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"_desktop_article_title\" dir=\"LTR\">\n<blockquote>\n<h4 class=\"western\" align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/weinbach\">Muscat 2017 - Domaine Weinbach<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>Acquired in 1898 by the Faller brothers, then passed on to their son and nephew Th\u00e9o, the estate is one of Alsace's great names. Today, run by Catherine Faller with the help of her sons Eddy and Th\u00e9o, the family estate perpetuates the same high standards of quality and respect for the land. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>When we taste this Muscat, we have the impression of biting into a grape. An aromatic palette of white fruit and exoticism emerges. Very pleasant to enjoy when young!<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>Blue cheese and walnut souffl\u00e9<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">It's not easy to start a meal with a sweet wine like Muscat. One possibility is to make a starter based on a cheese with character. Here, for example, we've chosen a blue cheese souffl\u00e9. The aromatic power and sweetness of the Muscat will offset the character of the blue cheese, allowing the notes of terroir to emerge, a perfect accompaniment to the wine and walnuts. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Muscat de Rivesalte is perfect for this! Its ageing will give it an incomparable aromatic complexity, reminiscent of the nutty notes present in the dish.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h4 class=\"western\" align=\"JUSTIFY\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/maison-cazes\/rivesaltes-1978-cuvee-aime-cazes.html\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>&gt; Rivesaltes 1978 - Cuv\u00e9e Aim\u00e9 - Domaine Cazes<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>A pioneer in biodynamic agriculture, Domaine de Cazes has converted its entire 220 hectares of vines to organic and biodynamic farming. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>From the moment it opens, this 1978 Muscat delivers aromas of evolution. Notes of cold tobacco, spices and old port.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>The classic cheese platter<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>Many cheeses go well with white wines, even sweet ones. That's why a Muscat de Frontignan will be perfect to sublimate them. Don't hesitate to go for cheeses with character, as the wine will have enough power to accompany them in this fine culinary experience.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i><b>A chocolate fondant heart<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>Now we come to the gourmet pairings. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><i>This time I recommend a red Muscat Beaume de Venise. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><i><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">This wine is made from the Muscat \u00e0 petit grain rouge grape variety. It will be just as sweet as a white wine, but will have notes of red fruit and cocoa that go perfectly with dessert.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\">\n<blockquote>\n<p lang=\"fr-FR\" align=\"JUSTIFY\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/toute-la-cave\">&gt; Our wines in stock<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p lang=\"fr-FR\" style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"JUSTIFY\"><div class=\"feedzy-186eed078abd13cc0305cb155ac19f20 feedzy-rss\"><ul><li  style=\"padding: 15px 0 25px\" class=\"rss_item\"><div class=\"rss_image\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/pierre-moncuit\/delos-grand-cru-champagne-blanc-de-blancs-pierre-moncuit.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noopener\" title=\"Delos Grand Cru - Champagne Blanc de Blancs - Pierre Moncuit - \u20ac29.00\" style=\"height:150px;width:150px;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/71065-small_default\/delos-grand-cru-champagne-blanc-de-blancs-pierre-moncuit.jpg\" title=\"Delos Grand Cru - 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A multitude of grape varieties Pierre Galet, a renowned ampelographer, describes over 150 grape varieties that bear the name Muscat. All these grape varieties, whether white, ros\u00e9 or red, whether eaten or used to make wine, are grouped together under the name...<\/p>","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":7660,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-le-saviez-vous","category-marche-du-vin"],"gutentor_comment":4,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/guide-cepage-muscat.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7615"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7615\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7661,"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7615\/revisions\/7661"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comptoirdesmillesimes.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}