Muscat wine - description, types, characteristics and reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Muscat wine or simply Muscat is a dessert wine made from Muscat grapes, distinguished by its exquisite aroma and unusual taste. A feature of the process of making nutmeg is the collection of slightly dried berries, as well as the use of artificial drying technology.

What is wine

Wine made from muscat grapes is rightfully considered one of the most ancient drinks, since the Greeks and Romans once enjoyed its refined taste and aroma. Due to the rather high sugar content and strength, these wines were stored for a very long time without losing their qualities. The drink retained its pleasant and persistent aroma, as well as the taste of berries.

Over time, nutmeg spread throughout the world and gained great popularity. Muscat wine requires special attention. It is intended for evening conversations. Many people think that nutmeg is added when making wine, but this is absolutely not the case. A special tart aroma and unusual aftertaste is obtained due to the grape variety used.

Main grape varieties

There are many varieties of Muscat grapes thatgrow in a particular region of cultivation. This determines the specificity of the variety. However, it is customary to distinguish such varieties of muscat grapes as:

• White fine grained.
• Muscat Ottonel.
• Muscat of Alexandria.

White fine-grained Muscat is one of the most ancient varieties grown in Europe. It has given rise to many other muscat grape varieties and is known for its ability to change the color of its berries every year.

Muscat Ottonel is characterized by early ripening and adaptability to a cool climate. However, it is not as fruitful as other varieties, and the aroma is not so clearly felt. Alexandria Muscat belongs to heat-loving varieties. It has a rich sweet taste, which is why it is widely used in winemaking.

Production Feature

Muscat wine is delicate, distinguished by a peculiar bright and memorable aroma with hints of rose oil, cloves, acacia. It is made from specially bred grape varieties. With a long exposure, the unique taste and aroma is revealed even more, it becomes rich and harmonious.

In the production of this wine, you need to extract the unique aroma as much as possible. At the same time, the time for the transition of the must into the finished product of wine extracts should be limited, as this will ensure tenderness and lightness in taste. A feature of Muscat wines is the ability to accumulate many aromatic substances.

These components,giving a special bouquet to the drink, are part of the contained essential oils. Muscat producers are very critical of varieties going for processing. The technology involves the use of only high-quality berries with a characteristic aroma.

Initially prepared must undergoes a fermentation process so that the wine can be enriched with phenolic compounds. Then comes the fastening and exposure. In this case, the drink is contained in tightly closed barrels. Sometimes exposure is carried out in metal tanks. In some cases, it even lasts for several decades.

Taste and color

Muscat wine can have completely different shades depending on the grape variety used. That is why the color of the drink can be:

• light golden;
• pink;
• rich amber;
• dark red.

The taste of this wine is sweet, somewhat velvety and even a little oily. Aged Muscat has a slightly resinous flavor. Muscat, dark in color, may have a shade of prunes or chocolate. In its aroma, you can catch notes of rose, almond and cloves.

What is wine like

Rose and white muscat wines are quite widespread in the world, so every wine-growing country has its own drink. There are such muscats as:

• light;
• liquor;
• dessert;
• fortified;
• sparkling.

This wine is mostly sweet in taste, howeverproduce several dry varieties. To enjoy the fullness and refinement of taste, this wine must be served correctly, as it is combined only with certain products.

Best Muscat for different countries

Each country has its own semi-sweet muscat wine, which is appreciated by the true lovers of this amazing drink. France is famous for making Muscat de Beaumes de Venise, a fortified aromatic wine made from fine-grained white Muscat. The most famous is Muscat de Frontignan, which is prepared without alcohol additives.

In the south of France, mainly dry, non-fortified Muscats are made. They have an expressive taste, in which the fruity and fruity bouquet inherent in dry wines is clearly felt. Muscat Ottonel is used for their production, despite the fact that it does not convey the fullness of taste, like fine-grained.

In Italy, mainly small-grained grapes are used for wine production. The most popular is the light sparkling wine "Asti" and white semi-sweet muscat wine "Moscato d'Asti". In addition, in Italy, Muscat of Alexandria is used to create wines of rich amber color Moscato and Passito di Pantelleria.

Another variety of Muscat grapes is "Moscato Giallo", which is also called yellow Muscat. It produces light golden wines with a pleasant and persistent aroma.

In Spain they make a very fragrant Moscatel, enjoying a hugepopularity. Crimean muscats are considered to be one of the best in the world, having repeatedly received high awards at international competitions. The best is considered "White Muscat of the Red Stone", the amazing taste of which poets spoke about.

What to serve with

Muscat is recommended to serve chilled to a temperature of 10-12 degrees. It is especially good as an aperitif, but it can also be served with various dishes. Desserts, puddings, mushroom dishes, spicy cheeses, game, vegetables go very well with it. Cauliflower, artichokes, and asparagus work well. On the basis of muscat wines, you can cook punches and crunches at parties.

It is worth noting that its taste can be adversely affected by tobacco smoke. You can not consume it with citrus fruits, as the wine will not be able to reveal the fullness of the taste. Fatty varieties of fish are not suitable, as they give the nutmeg a metallic taste. Also, this wine should not be served with chocolate and chocolate products.

Customer Reviews

Reviews about muscat wines are quite mixed, but mostly they are positive. Many note the excellent taste and aroma of the Muscat White Red Stone wine. The taste is quite sweet and rich, and the aftertaste is long and pleasant.

The "Black Muscat" produced by the "Massandra" plant was also highly appreciated. It has a rich cherry hue, shimmering beautifully in glasses. It has a sweet taste with hints of chocolate, cherries and plums. It can become a real holiday decoration or a goodgift.

Quite good wine "Muscat" from the company "Vingor" produced in Russia. It has a good taste, a balanced sugar content, and an affordable price.