Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is a white wine grape of Greek origin that is a member of the Muscat family of Vitis vinifera. Its name comes from its characteristic small berry size and tight clusters. It is known under a variety of local names such as Moscato bianco, Muscat blanc, Muscat Canelli, Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat de Lunel, Muscat d'Alsace, Muskateller, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Moscatel rosé and Sárgamuskotály.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains in Viala & Vermorel
A Moscato d'Asti wine from Piedmont, Italy
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains growing in Weinsberg under the synonym Gelber Muskateller
The Muscat family of grapes includes over 200 grape varieties belonging to the Vitis vinifera species that have been used in wine production and as raisin and table grapes around the globe for many centuries. Their colors range from white, to yellow, to pink to near black. Muscat grapes and wines almost always have a pronounced floral aroma. The breadth and number of varieties of Muscat suggest that it is perhaps the oldest domesticated grape variety, and there are theories that most families within the Vitis vinifera grape variety are descended from the Muscat variety.
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Muscat Noir showing the white and black-skinned color mutation of the variety
White Muscat – early ripening "July" variety
While there are theories that the origin of the Muscat family date back to ancient antiquity, there is no solid historical evidence that Muscat grapevines were among the grape varieties cultivated by civilizations such as the ancient Egyptians (papyrus image from the 15th-century BC tomb of Nakht).
The "musky" aroma of ripe Muscat grapes has been known to attract bees (pictured), flies and other insects