Muscat à petits grains rouge
Muscat à petits grains rouges (small red grains), petits grains noirs (small black grains), Muscat noir (black Muscat)... It is in the Greek vineyards that this grape variety probably draws its sources. It is also referred to as moscatello nero or black frontignan. It excels for the production of fortified "Vin Doux Naturel" wines, with a rich range of aromas evoking fruits, spices, and fresh or dried grapes.
Contents
Informations
Origin: Greece or Italy
Location within the Rhône Valley: Vaucluse and Diois
Plantings within the Rhône Valley AOCs: About 100 hectares
In the vineyards
Ampelography: Its youngest leaves are shiny and tanned at the end of the branch, which helps to recognize the variety
Bunch and berries: Medium-sized clusters and berries. The flesh of the grapes is firm, juicy and sweet.
Maturity: Early-budding
Characteristics: Moderately vigorous grape variety, often exposed to spring frosts. Its high sugar potential allows a harvest at full maturity, for the production of sweet fortified wines.
Terroir: Rocky and poor hillsides
In the cellars
Characteristics: Muscat à petits grains is appreciated for its strong aromatic potential, with notes of fruit, raisin and flowers. It produces powerful and elegant wines, and lends itself readily to the production of sweet fortified "vins doux naturels", while being authorized in sparkling wines of Diois.
Wine styles: Still dry white wines, sweet fortified Vins Doux Naturels, sparkling white wines