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The Muscat grape is grown all over the world and has over 200 variations. The original variety is the Muscat Blanc au Petite Grains. Synonyms for Muscat Blanc are Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat Canelli, Moscato d’Asti and many others, depending upon the country or region. In California, viticulturists use the names Muscat Canelli and Muscat Blanc. Other variations of Muscat are found the world over. Some of these are Muscat Ottonel, Morio Muscat, Muscat Hamburg, Early Muscat, Flame Muscat, July Muscat, Muscat Alexandria and many others. A choice variation of Muscat Blanc is Orange Muscat and it is prized and sought after by California vintners. Much less of Orange Muscat is grown in California than the ubiquitous Canelli and Alexandria. It is surprising just how little acreage is planted to Orange Muscat. In a recent California grape acreage (bearing) report, only 239 acres of Orange Muscat are listed while Canelli reports 1,350 acres and Muscat Alexandria shows 3,361 acres. Obviously, Muscat Alexandria is also a popular table and raisin variety. Orange Muscat has its origins in Italy where it is called Fiore D’Arancio.
Muscat is thought to be the most ancient of varieties for wine production as well as table use. Greece appears to be its land of origin... The Phoenicians and Greeks cultivated Muscat extensively and from there Muscat traveled to the Roman Empire and ultimately, to the rest of Europe.
The fragrance of Muscat is legendary. Its other unique property is the universally compelling taste of fresh fruit. The grapes and finished wine exhibit both these appealing qualities. The scientific explanation is the presence of flavor compounds called terpenes. The other compound, unique to Muscat and absent in other vitis vinifera varieties, is Methyl Anthranilate. This compound is thought to be responsible for the fresh fruit characteristic. In the case of Orange Muscat, the additional bonus is the fragrance of orange blossoms and orange peel. These are readily discernible. The nose of the wine is a delight to the olfactory senses.