Index
1- Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat is possibly the most versatile variety of all. It has always been used for wine, for fresh must, for direct consumption of its grapes and for raisining. Lover of the Mediterranean climate, and of the heats of summer, it is quite rustic and adapts to different types of soils.
2- Use of the Muscat of Alexandria
The muscat grape has been used since ancient times for its qualities for winemaking, table grapes and raisins. The Muscat of Alexandria is a variety used both for winemaking and for table grapes or for the production of raisins.
3- Origin of the muscatel grape.
Native to Africa , possibly of Mediterranean origin.
Muscat of Alexandria grapes are grown all over the world.
Perhaps it is the most representative variety of the Mediterranean , due to its uses, its presence in all the great ancient civilizations.
4- Synonyms
The Muscat of Alexandria is also known as:
- Damasener Muskat (Austria),
- Müscat of Alexandria (Chipre),
- Roman Muscat,
- Muscat of Malaga (Spain),
- Muscat Graúdo (Portugal),
- Muscat de Setúbal (Portugal),
- Moschato Alexandrias (Greece, Cyprus),
- Muscat of Alexandria (Italy),
- Muscat of Alexandria (Malta),
- Muscat (Malta),
- Moscatello (en Italy),
- Moscatellone,
- Zibibbo (Italy, Malta).
5- Areas of cultivation in the EC of muscat of alexandria:
It is a typically Mediterranean strain , which requires sun and the influence of the sea.
Countries in which muscat grapes are grown: Austria, Cyprus, Spain, Greece, Italy, Malta and Portugal.
In Spain: Its cultivation par excellence is in Valencia, Alicante, the Canary Islands and Malaga.
6- Characteristics of the Muscat of Alexandria grapes.
Bunches:
Big, not very compact.
Not very uniform, both in berry size and skin color.
Berries:
Large circular in shape but with a tendency to elliptical longitudinal section.
Thick and consistent skin.
Soft pulp, very juicy with a characteristic muscat flavor.
Strains:
Reduced vigor and upright bearing.
Ripening highly correlated with the location and altimetry of the plot, it is usually early ripening but many bunches delay this ripening, especially if the production is high.
Low performance.
7- Phenology of grape muscat:
Time of overflow: medium.
Ripening time: late.
8- Characteristics and cultivation of Muscat of Alexandria:
- High thermal requirements after aging to reach its proper maturation.
- Resistant to drought and with adaptability to different types of soils.
- At low temperatures, its wood does not burn well.
- It adapts well to short glass pruning. With long pruning it can produce in excess, losing part of its typicality and aromas.
- Sensitive to cluster moth.
- Very sensitive to powdery mildew and mildew.
- Sensitive to insects.
- Very sensitive to cold.
- This cultivar is said to be a lover of the sea breeze and the sea.
9- Technological / oenological potential of the muscat vine.
- Muscat of Alexandria has a powerful aromaticity.
- It gives good wines on limestone soils and excellent on silicic soils.
- Used as a table grape for its muscat flavor, firm pulp and medium-thick skin.
- It is used as a table grape but is capable of producing elegant mistelas and good dry whites and sparkling sweets.
- Natural dry and sweet white wines with powerful, elegant and floral aromas.
- They can be used in blends to add aromas.
- Used in Malaga for the production of aromatic wines.
- It resists transport well.
