Moscato Wine Grape
History And Origin
With over 200 varieties, Muscat (Known as Moscato in Italy, Moscatel in Spain, and Portugal) is one of the oldest and most popular grape families worldwide.
Mostly used to produce white wines, these varieties are famous for their perfumed aromatic qualities, ranging from blossomy and floral to musky and grapey.
The Moscato grape belongs to the Moscati family of grapes, whose name originates from the museum (moss in Latin), for their characteristic aroma found in the grapes. Some varieties include Moscato di Alessandria, known for its fruity and light white wines.
Moscato Ottonel is a paler colour and ripened earlier, while the Moscato d'Amburgo is a black grape variety and a table wine.
Finally, the Moscato Giallo (yellow) and Moscato Rosa (pink) from northern Italy are usually used to make a range of dry and sweet wines. Moscato generally prefers warm climates such as the Mediterranean.
Flavours, Taste & Texture
Famous for its sweet flavours of peaches and orange blossoms, Moscato is made up of perfumed aromas of ripe pear, mandarin orange, sweet Meyer lemon, honeysuckle, and orange blossom.
The grape has a unique floral aroma known as linalool found in citrus flowers, mint, and cinnamon. Due to Moscato's distinctive aroma, it is a great option for winemakers due to its versatility for making varieties of sweet, dry, medium, sparkling or dessert wines.
Sparkling Moscato wines are usually sweeter and can have a zesty and spritz taste. When poured into a glass, white wine Moscato has a fizzy texture but is not as bubbly as sparkling wines. Moscato is a perfumed grape variety but keeps its grapey quality.
How Long To Age And Blend With Other Grape Varieties
Moscato wine generally does not take long to produce. It requires 12 days of clearing, and the winemaker will decide the style they are aiming for. It has a lower acidity, thanks to higher levels of residual sugar, giving it a slight sweetness. They do not require expensive barrels or long ageing storage costs.
Moscato Grape Varieties include:
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Moscato Giallo: Produced in the limestone soils of the Italian Alps, the Moscato Giallo variety is made up of baked apple and citrus flavours. These wines can produce 10 to 13% ABV, depending on the winemaker's style.
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Moscato Rosa: Moscato Rosa is a red-skinned grape blended with Muscat Blanc. Blending these grapes produces a pink tint colour and a floral aroma of white peach and honey flavours.
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Muscat Ottonel: Produced in 1952, this young grape variety is for making both dry wines and dessert wines with lower alcohol content and refreshing acidity.
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Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains: Muscat Blanc, also known as Muscat Canelli or Moscato Bianco grape, is generally used for making sweet and dry white wine. Around 75% of all Muscat Blanc comes from Italy, with this grape a key ingredient in making many Italian wine styles.
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Muscat Rouge a Petits Grains: Believed to have originated from Greece, Muscat Rouge has a similar flavour profile to Muscat Blanc.
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Muscat of Alexandria: Mainly grown in Italy and Spain, Muscat of Alexandria is also known as Moscatel. A popular wine grape that produces both still and sparkling wine. A tropical flavour, including notes of nectarine and ripe apricot.
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Muscat Hamburg: Also known as Black Muscat, this has a less fragrant nose compared to other Moscato Grapes and is sometimes mixed with small amounts of other grapes.
What Foods To Pair With
Moscato wine balances perfectly with spices and flavours such as cinnamon, cardamom, basil, mint, chilli, and cilantro. A great addition to a sharing board of cold meats, nuts, crisps, raw vegetables, soft creamy Brie cheese or even a spicy curry or chicken wings.
If you're serving a dessert such as a creme brûlée, vanilla ice cream or even rice pudding, a glass of Moscato on the side will always go down as a treat.
Moscato Food Pairings:
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Lamb shank, fish dishes, chicken curry, spicy meatballs.
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Soft cheese such as brie, gorgonzola.
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Celery, onions, carrots and bell peppers.
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Poached pears, apple tart, blueberry pancakes.
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