Moscatel Wine

Moscatel is a type of wine made from grapes of the Muscat family. One of the oldest and most widespread grape families in the world, Muscat grapes are known for their sweet, floral aromas and are used to make a wide range of wine styles.

Moscatel wine is highly valued for its sweet and aromatic qualities, often reminiscent of blossoms, honey and various citrus and stone fruits. Styles range from light and effervescent to rich and fortified.

Some of the most famous Moscatel wines include:

• Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise: A sweet, fortified wine from the Rhône Valley in France.
• Moscato d’Asti: A sweet, lightly sparkling wine from Piedmont, Italy.
• Moscatel de Setúbal: A rich, fortified wine from Portugal that can be either sweet or dry. Moscatel de Alejandría: A style of Moscatel made from the Muscat of Alexandria grape in Spain, often sweet and sometimes fortified.

Moscatel is the name given to the Muscat grape in Spain and Portugal. It is grown in several regions across Spain—including Málaga and Valencia—and Setúbal in Portugal. The grapes have a unique, thin skin, which gives the resulting wines their intense aroma and variety.

Muscat grapes are grown in several regions worldwide thanks to their ability to thrive in various climates and soils. Some of the notable regions include:

• Spain—Moscatel is widely grown throughout Spain, particularly in regions such as Valencia, Málaga and Alicante. It is often used to produce sweet, fortified wines and dry, aromatic still wines.
• Portugal—The Setúbal Peninsula is famous for producing Moscatel de Setúbal—a sweet fortified wine—and the fortified Moscatel do Douro wine.
• Italy—Known as Moscato in Italy, the grape is grown in areas like Piedmont, where it’s used to make Moscato d’Asti, a sweet, effervescent wine with a lower alcohol content.
• France—Referred to as Muscat in France, the grape is grown in Alsace, producing dry and sweet wines and in the Rhône Valley where it is used for fortified sweet wines.
• Australia—Here, Moscatel is often used to make fortified dessert wines.
• United States—In California, Moscatel grapes produce a range of wine styles, from dry to sweet and even sparkling.

Moscatel, produced from Muscat grapes, is prized for its highly aromatic profile and diverse styles, ranging from sweet to dry and still to sparkling or fortified.

Moscatel wines are renowned for their intense, perfumed nose. The dominant aromas and flavors often include peach, apricot, orange blossom, fresh grapes and rose petals, along with hints of honey and sweet spices. Due to the family of Muscat grapes’ naturally high sugar content, these wines typically exude a certain level of sweetness.

However, Moscatel wines can vary vastly in sweetness. While many Moscatel wines are sweet, there are also dry variants. Sweet Moscatel wines come in different styles, including light and fizzy Moscato d’Asti from Italy and deep, richly sweet fortified Moscatel de Setúbal from Portugal.

Moscatel wines also vary in color from pale yellow to amber and even to a deep golden hue in the case of some mature, fortified Moscatels. The same is true of body and weight, which can greatly change depending on the style.

Traditional Moscatel wines from Spain, Portugal and Italy are often sweet—sometimes intensely so—particularly when fortified. But Moscatel can also make dry wines that preserve the variety’s aromatic intensity while providing a lighter, more refreshing character. There are excellent dry Moscatel wines from winemakers to explore, particularly from Spain and France.

Moscatel wine is renowned for its aromatic bouquet and diverse flavor profile, ranging from juicy and fruit-forward to subtly spiced and complex. One of the signature characteristics of Moscatel wine is its pronounced floral and grape-like aroma, often accompanied by hints of citrus, peach, apricot or fresh grape juice. This wine can also present intriguing musky undertones and, in some cases, a distinct honeyed note.

The taste of Moscatel is heavily influenced by the conditions in which the grapes are grown. In cooler climates, like parts of France or Spain, the wine tends to be light- to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity and freshness.

Expect flavors of:

• Lemon zest
• Green apple
• Apricot
• Fresh grapes
• White flowers
• Honeydew melon

In warmer regions, such as certain parts of Spain, Portugal or Australia’s Rutherglen region, Moscatel grapes achieve full ripeness, resulting in wines with a fuller body and a luscious, concentrated sweetness.

This leads to more intensely flavors like:

• Ripe peach
• Pear
• Honey
• Raisin
• Orange blossom

Choosing a good Moscatel wine depends on several factors, including your taste preferences, the occasion, food pairing and budget.

Moscatel wines can range from dry to sweet and still to sparkling or fortified, so deciding which style you prefer is key. A Moscato d’Asti might be a good choice for a light and bubbly wine. If you prefer a rich, sweet dessert wine, you could opt for a fortified Moscatel like Moscatel de Setúbal.

Consider what food you’ll be pairing with your wine, too. Light, fizzy Moscatel wines can pair well with light desserts or as an aperitif, while fortified Moscatel wines can stand up to richer, heavier desserts and strong cheeses.

If you’re looking for a wine with a pronounced sweetness and balanced acidity, a Moscatel from countries like Spain or Portugal is an excellent choice. Dessert wines here often showcase the Moscatel grape’s inherent fruitiness while offering a pleasantly sweet finish.

Pick out a Moscato from Italy or Australia if you prefer a lighter, more approachable, or easy-drinking style with a fruit-forward profile and a hint of sweetness. These countries often produce slightly sweet or semi-dry Moscatel wines that are enjoyable in their youth and do not require extensive aging.

Moscatel is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of tastefully seasoned foods.

Sweet Moscatel wines are a classic match for desserts, particularly those with fruit, like apple tarts, peach cobbler or citrus-based desserts. The sweetness of Moscatel can also help balance the heat in spicy foods. It can work well with Asian cuisine, like Thai or Szechuan, which often feature a mix of sweet and spicy flavors.

A rich, sweet Moscatel can be an excellent match for foie gras, with the wine’s sweetness contrasting the savory richness of the dish. Richer, fortified styles can pair well with strong, ripe cheeses like blue cheese.

Light, sparkling Moscatel wines, like Moscato d’Asti, can be excellent as an aperitif or paired with light appetizers. Dry Moscatel wines can be a good match for seafood dishes, similar to other dry white wines.

Like most white wines, Moscatel wine is best served chilled, typically between 45-50°F. Serving it too warm might dampen the refreshing flavors, whereas serving it too cold could mute the wine’s aromatic profile.

Serve your Moscatel in a white wine glass to help concentrate the aromas. If you’re serving a sparkling Moscatel like Moscato d'Asti, a flute can be used to preserve and showcase the bubbles.