European Muscat
In Europe, Muscat wine production is concentrated in warm regions around the Mediterranean. The grape is mainly grown in Southern Italy, Southern France and Spain where it is often used for fortified wines and distilled into brandy.
It is 1 of only 3 grapes used for Sherry and is also occasionally used for Madeira. Muscat is present in the fortified Vins Doux Naturale of Southern France. A fortified wine with significant residual sugar called Muscat de Beaumes de Venise is made in the Southern Rhone Valley of France. It is also used for fortified wines in Germany and Portugal where it is called Muscatel de Setubal.
Muscat is made into dry wines in Alsace and the Northern Rhone Valley. In the latter region, Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains is blended with Clairette to make Clairette de Die. There are rare examples of botrytis Muscat wines. However, noble rot typically ruins Muscat’s aroma. Tokaji in Hungary is one of the few Muscats that use botrytis grapes.
Asti Spumante is a sparkling wine from Italy that is made from Muscat. Moscato d’Asti is semi-sparkling. Many of the Spanish plantings are used for raisins and table grapes. Some is used for wine production, though it tends to be raisiny and overpowering.
