muscadelle
Definition
Noun: 1. A type of grape variety: Muscadelle is a white grape variety, primarily known for its use in producing sweet dessert wines, particularly in certain regions of France. 2. A wine made from this grape: The term can also refer to the wine itself, which is often aromatic and used in blends, most famously in Sauternes and other Bordeaux sweet wines.
Usage Examples
- As a grape variety:
- Muscadelle is one of the three permitted grapes in Sauternes, along with Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
- The vineyard is planted with several hectares of Muscadelle.
- As a wine:
- This dessert wine has a pronounced floral note, characteristic of Muscadelle.
- A small percentage of Muscadelle adds aromatic complexity to the blend.
Advanced Usage
- Regional specificity: While used in famous blends, varietal wines labeled as "Muscadelle" are less common and are often associated with specific appellations like "Bordeaux Haut-Benauge" or produced in regions like Australia (where it is sometimes confusingly labeled as "Tokay").
- The Australian "Topaque" is a fortified wine made from Muscadelle grapes.
Variants and Related Words
- Muscat: A separate but related family of aromatic grape varieties. Muscadelle is not a type of Muscat, but the names are often confused due to their similar aromatic profiles.
- Sémillon: A primary grape variety often blended with Muscadelle in sweet wine production.
- Sauvignon Blanc: Another primary grape variety commonly used in blends with Muscadelle.
Synonyms
- Grape variety: (No direct synonym; it is a specific cultivar name)
- Wine: Aromatic dessert wine, sweet white Bordeaux (when used in a blend from that region).
Notes on Meaning
It is important to distinguish between: 1. Muscadelle (the grape): A specific Vitis vinifera cultivar. 2. Muscadelle (the wine): A wine made predominantly from this grape. 3. Muscat: A different group of grapes (e.g., Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains) that also produce aromatic wines. The similarity in name is a common source of confusion.
Noun
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wine from muscat grapes
