10/09/07 Muscat

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. Muscat, Muscato Muscat Canelli - all the same? Or all different? On today's program we'll take a look at the grape called Muscat. The Muscat grape is a member of an enormous family of grape varieties. These 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. There are many names for the grapes in this family perhaps you have heard of the wines that come from within it  Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, Muscat Blanc, Muscat d'Alsace, Moscato Bianco, Muscato d'Asti or Muscat Canelli. This is a grape grown all over central and eastern Europe. One thing to make note of is that the finest most ancient Muscat is the Muscat blanc a Petits Grains, it's berries are light skinned and small and round rather than oval like the most commonly planted Muscat of Alexandria. From Northern Italy the slightly effervescent sweet Moscato d'Asti is one of my very favorite wines with Brunch. And the Muscat dessert wines are among the best with blue cheese and toasted nuts after dinner. Give this very exotic smelling and wonderfully diverse tasting wine a chance and see what you think of Muscat, in all it's varied origins and styles. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at Vine to Wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.