Known for its dry and tasty white wines, the White muscat with small grains is a white grape variety that is among the oldest grape varieties in the world. Let's go to meet muscat with small grains, to know everything about its origins, the characteristics of its vines, and the wines it offers.
The story of the white muscat grape grain
Belonging to the Muscat family, white muscat with small grains is known to be the older grape variety in the world. He would then have seen the light of day in Greece, before being transported to Narbonne Gaul by the Romans. From the Middle Ages, it is cultivated in France, but it is especially during the reign of Charlemagne, and under the influence of Frontignan, that he experiences a real boom, and that white muscat with small grains is exported First in Europe, then in the rest of the world.
White muscat with small grains in vineyards
In the vineyards, we recognize the White Muscat White grape variety with small grains to its small cylindrical and compact clusters, and its medium grapes, with thick and amber yellow skin. More rarely, there is muscat with small grains with pink or black grapes.
With its erect port, the White muscat vine foot with small grains Apply the limestone lands, and prevail early, but it is very sensitive to mildew, erinosis, powdery mildew, or even gray rot.
Wines from white muscat with small grains
Today, French wine regions that produce white muscat with small grains mainly manufacture natural mild wines. Depending on their origin, these wines have different names: the Muscat of Frontignan, the Muscat of Mireval, the Muscat of Lunel, the Muscat of Saint-Jean de Minervois…
In assembly with Alexandria muscat, white muscat with small grains allows to give wine from Rivesaltes Muscat. On the side of Alsace, these white grape varieties give a dry white wine that bears the name Alsace Muscat.
In the glass, the dry muscat wines with small grains Develop aromas of flowers, citrus, honey and spices. The sparkling wines of this same grape are rather sweet, with melon notes.
The cultivation of white muscat with small grains in France and in the world
The Muscat culture with small grains started in Greece, to develop around the world. It is thus found in France, but it is also cultivated in many other countries.
The culture of white muscat with small grains in France
If the white muscat with small grains is the The oldest grape variety in the world, he is also one of the White wine grape varieties The most cultivated in France. It was thus established, at the start, in the Narbonne region, but it is found today essentially in the south, and in particular in Beaumes-de-Venise, Frontignan and Rivesaltes.
This white grape variety was once cultivated in Alsace, but it is today the Muscat Ottonel, a cousin grape, which took over in this northeast wine region.
The production of white muscat with small grains abroad
Rather easy to cultivate, and not too demanding, the white muscat foot with small grains has managed to extend through Europe, and in particular in Germany, Spain, Austria and Greece, where it allows to produce soft wines, like the Hamburg Muscat or the Roman Muscat.
In Italy, this white grape variety gives above all effervescent wines, such as asti or sparkling asti moscato.
Over time, the winegrowers set up the Muscat grape variety In other countries of the world, and particularly in Australia.
What to eat with a white muscat with small grains?
Vinified wines from small grain muscat are easy to drink, and can accompany many dishes, at any time a meal. White wine then accommodates both with an aperitif acras, as the asparagus as a starter, or the rabbit or the cod on the dish. But muscat is also a wise choice for accompany a dessert, since he has a very pleasant and refreshing sweet and fruity flavor.
Discover the various grape varieties in France, and stop in the south, to taste the delicate white wines produced from White muscat with small grains.
