Muscadelle

Origin and history

Muscadelle is a French grape. DNA analysis shows it is a cross of Gouais Blanc and an unidentified variety, so despite its grapey aroma and its name it is not part of the Muscat family. It is also distinct from Melon de Bourgogne, the grape of Muscadet, even though Muscadet is among its more than 50 synonyms. In Australia it was long called Tokay, a name dropped because of the Hungarian Tokaji designation; the fortified wine is now called Topaque. Plantings fell through the 1990s and the beginning of the 21st century.

Where it grows

In Bordeaux Muscadelle is a minor blending grape in dry and sweet whites, rarely more than 10% of a blend led by Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Sauternes and Barsac estates using it include Château Coutet, Château Rieussec and Château La Tour Blanche, and it also appears in Entre-Deux-Mers. In South West France, some sweet Monbazillac uses a higher share. In Victoria, Australia, Rutherglen makes fortified Topaque from it.

Taste, wine styles and food

Muscadelle has a simple, grapey aroma with raisin and floral notes. In Bordeaux blends it adds perfume to the leaner structure of Sauvignon Blanc and the waxy weight of Sémillon, in both dry whites and noble-rot sweet wine. In Rutherglen, the wine is fortified and aged for years in hot cellars, giving a dark fortified wine with malt, toffee, cold tea and butterscotch flavours. Sweet Bordeaux blends suit blue cheese and fruit tarts; Topaque goes with caramel desserts, nuts and coffee.

Muscadelle: questions and answers

Other white grapes

• Chardonnay
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Riesling
• Pinot Gris
• Chenin Blanc
• Sémillon
• Gewurztraminer
• Muscat
• Viognier
• Grüner Veltliner
• Albariño
• Marsanne
• Roussanne
• Furmint
• Palomino
• Pedro Ximénez
• Glera
• Pinot Blanc
• Chasselas
• Vermentino