Muscat / Muscat grape variety

Muscat, also known as Muskateller or Moscato, is not so much a single grape variety as a fairly large family of grape varieties that is widespread throughout the world and includes both wine grapes and table grapes. What they all have in common is a floral aroma and an unmistakable muscat flavour - Muskateller belongs to the bouquet varieties. The wines show moderate acidity and aromatic intensity. However, they are often also made sweet or semi-dry, sometimes even as a dessert wine. The grape family is also used in cuvées. Muscat is an excellent accompaniment to nutty flavours, but also cuts a fine figure alongside exotic curries. Dry specimens should be enjoyed when young, as they rarely age well. As a sweet wine, the ageing potential is significantly higher.

Order Muscat/Muskateller wines online

Winery Hirtl Gelber Muskateller Frizzante 2023

Weinviertel, Austria

8.90 €

0.75 l, 11.87 €/l
in stock

Winery Malat Furth Gelber Muskateller 2023

Kremstal, Austria

13.50 €

0.75 l, 18.00 €/l
in stock

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Muscat wine

What characterises the Muscat grape variety?

Muscat (Muscat/Moscato) is one of the oldest grape varieties and is known for its floral aroma, exotic fruit and typical muscat flavour. The wines have moderate acidity, range from dry to sweet and are particularly well suited to nutty dishes or exotic cuisine.

What is Muscat wine?

Muscat, also known internationally as Muscat, is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world. With over 2000 years of history, it is firmly anchored in many wine regions and is known for its unmistakable aroma of fresh grapes and exotic fruits.

What does Muscat taste like?

Muscat is characterised by an intense, fruity and floral aroma. It is reminiscent of nutmeg, citrus fruits, peach, roses and fresh grapes. Its flavour ranges from dry and tangy to sweet and mellow, depending on how it is grown and the region.

Where is Muscat grown?

The grape variety is grown all over the world. Important growing regions are
- Austria (Gelber Muskateller)
- Germany (mainly in the Palatinate and Baden)
- France (Alsace, southern France)
- Italy (Moscato d'Asti, Sicily)
- Spain and Portugal - Australia and South America

What goes well with Muscat wine?

Muscat is an all-rounder in the kitchen. It is ideal with
- light starters and salads
- Asian and oriental dishes
- Mild cheeses
- Fish and seafood
- fruity desserts
- as an aperitif on warm days

How should Muscat be stored?

Muscat is drunk young to preserve its fresh flavour. It should be stored
- in a cool and dark place
- in a horizontal position (with natural cork)
- be enjoyed within 1-3 years of the harvest

What are the differences between Muscat and other grape varieties?

Compared to classic grape varieties such as Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, Muscat is more fragrant, fruity and aromatically intense. While other white wines are often characterised by minerality or woody notes, Muscatel impresses with its grapey lightness.

When is the best time to drink Muskateller?

Muskateller is a summer wine par excellence - fresh, sparkling and light. Ideal for
- warm evenings outdoors
- parties and aperitifs
- Light meals in spring and summer
- as an accompaniment to fruity desserts in winter

How do I recognise a good Muscat?

A high-quality Muscat is characterised by
- clear, brilliant colour
- intense aroma of grapes, flowers and nutmeg, typical of the grape variety
- Fresh acidity and balanced sweetness
- Origin from recognised wine regions such as the Palatinate, Styria or Alsace

What are the health benefits of Muscatel?

When enjoyed in moderation, muscatel - like other wines - can have positive effects
- contains antioxidants such as resveratrol
- can support the cardiovascular system in small quantities
- stimulates the appetite due to its slight acidity Important: These benefits only apply when consumed in moderation.

What dishes can you combine with muscatel?

Some perfect food pairings
- Dry: Sushi, tapas, Mediterranean cuisine
- Semi-dry: Poultry, Asian wok dishes
- Sweet: fruit salad, cream desserts, cakes

Discover more grape varieties for white wines.

Elbling

Elbling is a very old white grape variety with a long history that is mainly cultivated in Germany, particularly along the upper Moselle. The wines are light, fresh and sparkling, with a strong, marked acidity and low alcohol content - which makes Elbling particularly interesting as a base wine for sparkling wines.

Macabeo

Macabeo, also known as Viura in the Rioja region, is a white grape variety that is mainly grown in northern Spain. The wines are generally light to medium-bodied, with moderate acidity and a fresh, fruity flavour with floral notes.

Riesling

Riesling is one of the best-known white grape varieties and is cultivated all over the world - first and foremost in Germany, of course. It is more flexible and versatile than almost any other grape.

Silvaner

Silvaner is a white grape variety that originated in Austria, but is now most widespread in Germany, where it plays an important role alongside Riesling. Other noteworthy stocks can still be found in Alsace in France. The wines are known for their freshness, minerality and sometimes strong, earthy character.

Sémillon

Sémillon is a noble white grape variety that originates from France, but has now also found a home in the New World. The wines are known for their fruity flavours and full body. Dry Sémillon wines typically show flavours of lemon or lime, while the sweet and noble sweet varieties have apricot, peach, honey, candied fruit or nutty tones.

Welschriesling

Welschriesling is a white grape variety that is mainly cultivated in Austria and the wider Danube region of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Despite its name, it is not related to Riesling.

Discover more grape varieties for red wines.

Zweigelt

Zweigelt is a highly successful new red variety from Austria, whose parents are Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. It produces violet/red wines with a deep colour and intense aromas such as cherry, red and blackcurrant or blackberry, as well as spicy notes such as vanilla or cinnamon.

Zinfandel

The Zinfandel grape variety is mainly grown in California and produces powerful, extremely powerful and dense red wines, usually with a high alcohol content. The flavour is characterised by aromas of ripe, dark berries and fruits such as blackberry, cherry and plum as well as spicy notes of cinnamon, cloves, chocolate and pepper.

Trousseau Noir/Bastardo

Trousseau Noir is a red grape variety originating from the French Jura. While it only covers small areas there today, it now plays a much more relevant role on the Iberian Peninsula under its synonym Bastardo.

Trollinger

Trollinger is a red grape variety from southern Germany, particularly from the Württemberg region. The wines have a light, fruity flavour and are usually light and sparkling.

Schwarzriesling

Schwarzriesling, also known as Pinot Meunier or Müllerrebe, is a red grape variety that is mainly native to France and Germany. In France, it plays an important role as a traditional component of the cuvée in Champagne in particular, while in southern Germany it is also often found as a rather simple, single-varietal still wine.

Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo is one of Italy's great noble grape varieties. It is mainly cultivated in Piedmont. The wines are medium to full-bodied, with extremely strong tannins, usually very rough when young, and high acidity. Nebbiolo wines typically show flavours of red fruits such as plum, cherry and red berries, accompanied by more edgy tones such as tobacco and leather.

Here you can find information on other grape varieties.