Contrary to false assumptions and, above all, contrary to most Muscat varieties, the Muscat de Hambourg grape variety is a red wine variety. When and where it originated is unclear, but new scientific findings indicate that it is a natural cross between the two grape varieties Muscat d'Alexandrie and Schiava Grosso. This puts it in close relationships with many aromatic white wine varieties, such as Muscat à Petits Grains, Grillo, Torrontes (Argentina) or, in our latitudes, Kerner and Boukettraube. It also served as a crossing partner for a large number of grape varieties. The name came about not because this grape variety first appeared in the city of Hamburg, but because the Schiava Grossa was previously referred to, among other things, as “Black Hamburg”. The variety ripens in the middle segment, the grapes are considered a real delicacy by some insects and birds, so animal consumption must always be expected. Today, Muscat de Hambourg is used to produce table grapes to a much greater extent than wine. This is thanks, among other things, to the fact that the grapes can easily survive long sea voyages. It is widespread in France, Eastern Europe, Greece and Australia as well as California. Light dry wines and sweet dessert wines are produced. Sweet wines also come onto the market, especially from Greece, Eastern Europe, central Italy and Cyprus.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Black Muscat, Black Muscat of Alexandria, Blauer Hamburger Muskat, Golden Hamburg, Moscato Nero, Muskat-Trollinger, Muscat Orange, Muskat Hamburg, Muskattrollinger, Moscatel Negro, Moscatel de Hambourgo, Muscat
