08/24/05 E-mail - Muscat

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. Recently a perplexed listener wrote to ask Muscat, Muscato Muscat Canelli  are they all the same or all different? Muscat is a grape - a member of a huge family of grape varieties. Their vines thrive in very hot dry areas. They come in many colors from greenish yellow to pink to brown. Historically they have been made into wines that were very rich and sweet - some of the world's best dessert wines. Perhaps you have heard of the wines that come from muscat, such as  Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, Muscat Blanc, Muscat d'Alsace, Moscato Bianco, Muscato d'Asti or Muscat Canelli. One thing to make note of is that the finest most ancient Muscat is the Muscat Blanc, it's berries are light skinned and small and round rather than oval like the most commonly planted Muscat of Alexandria. In France Muscat d'Alsace is by far one of the region's most distinct wines. It is a delicate aperitif that has such a heady fragrance that I can never decide whether to drink it or to dab it behind my ears. From Northern Italy the slightly effervescent sweet Moscato d'Asti is a very favorite with Brunch. And the Muscat dessert wines are among the best with blue cheese and toasted nuts. Give this very exotic smelling wine a chance and see what you think of Muscat, in all it's varied origins and styles and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.