Muscadelle: the grape variety of sweet wines
The production of a good wine goes through the choice of grape varieties and for the composition, several grape varieties are assembled. In this blend , the producer can use Chardonnay , Syrah , Sauvignon or even Muscadelle . For sweet wine , Muscadelle is most often used. For this dossier, we are going to give a brief overview of the particularities and characteristics of this grape variety.
A particularly fragile grape variety
Muscadelle also has other names such as Issal de Tarayre, Marmesie, Musquette, Cadillac, Bouillenc, Reasonote and Muscat Fou in the Dordogne. Muscadelle is a white grape variety and it is categorized as a late budburst grape variety, which makes it fragile.
In the fields of vineyards, it is the most fragile and conventional winegrowers even go so far as to provide treatments, because it is also very sensitive to diseases and parasites. Its grains are often attacked by gray rot . This variety is particularly fearful of grape worms and is often attacked by Heminoptera. To maintain the quality of the production, the winegrowers avoid pruning the Muscadelle long, because it runs out very quickly.
It is for these various reasons that one does not always find Muscadelle vines in the vineyards. Winegrowers extend more the space dedicated to this variety, because it brings a particular touch in the assembly of wine . It is grown mainly in the Bordeaux region where it represents only 7% of the surface area of the white vineyards of Bordeaux . It can also be found in the Bergerac region, in Lot-et-Garonne , in Charente and in the wine regions of the South-West. Outside of France, this variety is also grown in South Africa, Hungary, Romania, California and Australia.
Muscadelle, the privileged grape variety for the production of sweet wines
When it is very healthy once matured, muscadelle is distinguished by the intense fruity and floral touch. You can even smell aromas of honeysuckle and acacia as well as discreet scents of muscatel.
Some producers also emphasize the nuances of exotic fruits that it brings to dry white wine or sweet wine . As in the production of other wines, Muscadelle is never vinified alone and is combined with other grape varieties. To have a sweet wine , it is associated with Sémillon and Sauvignon. If this grape variety is particularly used for the production of sweet wine, it also enters into the composition of dry white wines such as dry Bergerac white wine . Wines made from this grape variety are very aromatic and low in acid while being powerful.
The characteristic traits of muscadelle
When you are not a great wine lover, it is always difficult to distinguish a foot of Syrah from a foot of Muscadelle. This last variety is distinguished by its medium clusters which take the form of a truncated cone. These are also winged and more or less compact. The peduncles of a muscadelle are quite long and strong and its pedicels are rather short.
When the berries of this variety appear, they take on a sphere shape and they are of medium size compared to the others. They have a thin skin and the berries initially have a light green color before taking on a golden yellow as they ripen . If you take it, its flesh is not very crunchy and you will feel a fairly sweet taste in the mouth. You may also experience a taste similarity to that of Sauvignon Blanc .
