California

Muscat

Study Guides > Varieties > Muscat

Introduction

Signature Styles & Characteristics

Still & Sparkling

Although any grape can be interpreted in innovative and at times, outlying styles, the following chart/graphic represents the preponderance of what you will find California’s winemakers producing.

  • Dryness/Residual Sugar

    Still: 75 percent on a scale from Dry to Sweet of Dryness/Residual Sugar. Sparkling: 50 percent on the same scale.

  • Acid (potential)

    Still: 65 percent on a scale from Low to High of Acid (potential). Sparkling: 65 percent on the same scale.

  • Alcohol (potential)

    Still: 65 percent on a scale from Low to High of Alcohol (potential). Sparkling: 65 percent on the same scale.

  • Body (weight on palate)

    Still: 85 percent on a scale from Light to Full of Body (weight on palate). Sparkling: 85 percent on the same scale.

Dessert & Fortified

  • Dryness/Residual Sugar

    Dessert: 95 percent on a scale from Dry to Sweet of Dryness/Residual Sugar. Fortified: 95 percent on the same scale.

  • Acid (potential)

    Dessert: 65 percent on a scale from Low to High of Acid (potential). Fortified: 65 percent on the same scale.

  • Alcohol (potential)

    Dessert: 95 percent on a scale from Low to High of Alcohol (potential). Fortified: 95 percent on the same scale.

  • Body (weight on palate)

    Dessert: 95 percent on a scale from Light to Full of Body (weight on palate). Fortified: 95 percent on the same scale.

Texture

Tart and lean, or round and smooth (still), round and smooth and/or creamy (dessert), effervescent (sparkling), round and smooth (dessert and fortified)

Tannin

N/A, however, resulting wines can be slightly phenolic due to intentional skin contact

Ageability

1 to 10 years, pedigree and style-dependent; the best fortified bottles can live far longer and the best sweet dessert and fortified styles are able to age for decades

Aromas/Flavors

Influenced by climate, terroir, clonal selection, and winemaking.

  • Np Fruit 3293668 000000

    Fruit and Vegetable

    Green/yellow apple, apricot, peach, nectarine, grape, lychee, logan, melon, nectarine, peach, guava, mango, jackfruit, rambutan, candied citrus/citrus peel, orange, mandarin, strawberry, prunes, raisins, hay
  • Floral

    Floral

    Chamomile, citrus blossom, apple blossom, orange blossom, honeysuckle, lavender, wildflower, saffron, jasmine, freesia, roses
  • Icon Earth

    Earth

    Mineral
  • Icon Wood

    Wood

    Vanilla, nutmeg, graham cracker, meringue, marzipan, clove, cinnamon, caramel/toffee, maple syrup, nougat, halva.
  • Icon Other

    Other

    Orange/rose flower water, honey, hard candy, musk, assorted box candy (pralines, caramels, chocolate chews, etc.), Turkish delight