Muscadelle [mus-kuh-DEHL]
A highly productive white-wine grape grown in France’s Bordeaux region, mostly in sweet-wine-producing areas such as Barsac, Sauternes, and premieres côtes de Bordeaux. Muscadelle has an intense, perfumy character and is used in small quantities to add bouquet to sweet wines, usually those based on Sémillon and/or Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Because of Muscadelle’s intensity, no more than 5 percent is added to the higher-quality wines of Barsac and Sauternes. A larger percentage often finds its way into the wines of Premieres côtes de Bordeaux. Some Muscadelle is grown in Australia, where it’s known as Tokay and often used in dessert wines called Liqueur Tokays. Muscadelle is also called Musquette, Muscadet Doux, and Raisinotte.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.