Muscadelle

Portrait

Muscadelle is an old white variety from south-western France. Despite its name it does not belong to the Muscat family, although it develops a slightly muscat-like fragrance. Genetically it is a cross of Gouais Blanc and an unidentified variety. In the Bordeaux area it is permitted alongside Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc and is used mainly in small proportions, rarely above a tenth of the blend, for the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac as well as for dry whites.

The vine buds mid-season, ripens mid-season to late and is susceptible to mildew, coulure and grey rot. It tolerates warmer sites and gives aromatic, low-acid wines with honey, blossom and grape. In Australia it was first taken for one of the Tokaji varieties and called Tokay; since the 1970s it has been accepted that this Tokay is Muscadelle. In Victoria, especially around Rutherglen, it is the basis of the sweet wines now called Topaque, aged oxidatively in warm cellars.

The wines go with fruit desserts, pastries, blue cheese and foie gras; as a blending partner it adds floral notes to sweet wines.