Muscadelle - wine grape variety

Muscadelle is a variety of the Bordeaux region where it forms a minor component in the famous wines of Graves, Barsac, Sauternes, etc. There were 5700 ha of Muscadelle in France in 1968 but this decreased to 2700 ha by 1988. Muscadelle has been grown in Australia under the name of Tokay. There were 359 ha of Muscadelle in Australia in 1993. Sauvignon Vert introduced from California has also proved to be Muscadelle. Sauvignon Vert is no longer favoured in California and only about 34 ha remained in 1992. There also appear to be plantings in Hungary, Romania and the Ukraine. Muskadel in South Africa is a different variety, Muscat a petits grains.

Muscadelle is a fairly vigorous and productive variety. The young spring growth has a characteristic translucent reddish appearance. The leaves are large, rough and undulating, 3-lobed with the petiolar sinus sometimes closed, and with a little hair on the lower surface. The bunches are fairly large but often rather loose. The berries are rather small, round and speckled with brown at full maturity. The fruit ripens early and can attain a very high sugar content.

In France, Muscadelle gives a wine with a marked bouquet somewhat reminiscent of muscat and only a small proportion is needed to achieve the desired degree of this character. When used on its own in California, Sauvignon Vert gives a bitterness on the palate which is found objectionable. The use of very ripe, partially raisined grapes for a sweet fortified wine seems to be specific to Australia and is very successful.