Muscadelle
Muscadelle is a white grape variety most closely associated with Bordeaux, where it is permitted in both dry and sweet wine production. Despite its name, it is unrelated to the Muscat family of grapes. Muscadelle is valued for its aromatic contribution, though it generally plays a minor role in blends.[1]
Background
The precise origins of Muscadelle are uncertain, but it has long been cultivated in Bordeaux and surrounding regions. Genetic studies confirm that it is distinct from Muscat and instead belongs to a separate ampelographic lineage.[2]
Although historically more widely planted, its susceptibility to grey rot and powdery mildew led to a decline in acreage during the 20th century.[3] Today, it represents only a small fraction of Bordeaux’s vineyard surface.
Characteristics
Muscadelle produces wines with relatively low acidity and moderate alcohol levels. Its most notable feature is its aromatic profile, marked by floral and grapey notes that can resemble Muscat, though usually lighter and less intense.[4]
The variety is considered delicate and requires careful handling both in the vineyard and in the cellar to preserve its fragrance.
Use in winemaking
In Bordeaux, Muscadelle is authorised in both dry and sweet white blends, though rarely exceeding a small percentage of the final composition. It is permitted in Sauternes and Barsac, where it may contribute aromatic lift to botrytised wines.[5]
The grape is also a minor blending component in dry white Bordeaux wines, complementing Sauvignon blanc and Sémillon with added fragrance.[6]
Outside Bordeaux, Muscadelle is grown in limited quantities in Australia, where it was historically known as Tokay (a name now discontinued under EU–Australia agreements). There it has been used in fortified styles, notably in Rutherglen Muscat-Muscadelle blends.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, HarperCollins, 2012.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., 2019.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015.
- ↑ Sauternes & Barsac ODG, “Cépages des vins liquoreux”, sauternes-barsac.com.
- ↑ CIVB, “Muscadelle”, bordeaux.com.
- ↑ Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes, HarperCollins, 2012.