Moscatel Roxo is a color mutation and a synonym name for the Muscat Blanc à Petis Grains grape variety. It appears under the Latin name Muscatellus in a work by Pietro de' Crescenzi as early as 1304. Little is known about its origins, but after some guesswork it is now agreed that it came from Greece and from there found its way via Italy to northern Europe and later the countries of the New World. Genetic relationships with some varieties native to Greece make this assumption seem plausible. The variety, which sprouts early and matures in the medium-long range, is, like Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling, an aromatic variety and can be found in many countries in the Old and New Worlds. With its intense aroma reminiscent of tropical fruits and nutmeg and its piquant acidity, it stands for racy, very fruity dry wines as well as alcohol-fortified sweet wines, such as in the south of France or in Australia for the fortified and very high-quality Liqueur Muscat. In addition to southern France, Alsace, Italy and Styria are centers for the cultivation of this variety, but Germany, Portugal and Spain also provide good examples of this intensely fragrant variety, which, however, is not particularly suitable for aging in barriques precisely because of its intense aromatic structure and its striking acidity. For good results, attention should be paid to limiting the yield of the variety that is sensitive to insect infestation and downy mildew.
