Grape Variety: Muscat a Petit Grains

Colour: White

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is a white wine grape that is a member of the Muscat family of Vitis vinifera. Its name comes from its characteristic small berry size and tight clusters. It is known under a variety of local names such as Muscat Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Moscato Bianco, Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat de Lunel, Muscat d’Alsace, Muskateller, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Moscatel Rosé and Sárgamuskotály .

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is considered one of the oldest grape varieties still in existence. Ampelographers have identified the grape with the Anathelicon moschaton grape used by the Ancient Greeks and the Apiane vines planted by the Romans (so named because of the fondness that insects, such as bees (Latin apis), have for devouring the flesh of the grapes). It was probably first introduced to France by the Greeks through the trading port at Marseilles and later spread to the Narbonne region by Romans in their conquest of Gaul. It was a chief export of Frontignan by the time of Charlemagne and plantings were recorded in Germany by the 12th century. It became a popular planting in Alsace by the 16th century.

While technically a white grape, there are strains of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains vines that produce berries that are pink or reddish brown. The same vine could potentially produce berries of one colour one year and a different colour the next. These strains are more prevalent in Australia, where the grape is also known as Frontignac and Brown Muscat.

In France, the grape is used as a blending grape with Grenache Blanc and Muscat of Alexandria in vins doux naturels wines from the Frontignan area such as Banyuls, Côtes d’Agly, Grand Roussillon, Rivesaltes and St-Jean de Minervois. It is the primary grape in the Rhône wine Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise and a blending grape with Clairette in the recherché sparkling wine Clairette de Die. In the Hérault region it is the primary grape for Muscat de Mireval. Clos du Gravillas make a pretty rose and grapeflower scented St Jean de Minervois from grape vines grown on blinding white soils. This would make an admirable aperitif, but would also go with fruit pastries.

In Italy, the grape is the most widely planted member of the Muscat family and is most commonly known as Moscato Bianco. It is the oldest known variety grown in Piedmont and is the primary component of Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti wines. It is also commonly used for fortified dessert wines as well as the semi-sparkling Frizzante. The Moscato from Vittoria Bera offers more in terms of flesh and softness than effervescence, combining melon, orange peel and sage on the nose. In the mouth, it is moderately sweet and would complement richer desserts as well as being the dream partner for strawbs. Easy to distinguish this Asti from your Elbling.

The South African dessert wine Constantia is produced from Muscat de Frontignan.