Grape · White
Muscat of Alexandria
Also known as Moscatel de Alejandría in Spain/Chile, Moscatel de Setúbal in Portugal, Zibibbo in Sicily or Muscat d'Alexandrie in France
Warm climate
About
One of the oldest grapes still grown, a heat-loving Muscat with a big, grapey perfume and soft acidity. Made dry, floral and often saline in Chile's Itata Valley and the hills of Málaga, and sweet or fortified in Málaga, Setúbal, Montilla and Roussillon. Also a table and raisin grape.
Typical profile
Aromas
What the grape gives up young, and what it grows into with time in bottle.
Oak influence
Rare
Aging
Dry versions within 1-2 years; the sweet and fortified ones keep for decades.
Growing regions
How the grape expresses across places, grouped by country. Chips call out how a region's style deviates from the grape's default.
Spain
Alicante
Known as Moscatel d'Alejandría. Old parcels on Marina Alta sea-facing terraces produce orange-blossom and citrus-peel wines in dry, off-dry, sparkling, and fortified styles; Bocopa's Marina Alta is the benchmark
Jerez
Known as Moscatel, produces aromatic sweet fortified wines in the Sherry style
Málaga
Known here as Moscatel de Alejandría, grown on steep Axarquía slate and sun-dried on paseros for naturally sweet wines of orange blossom and honey, with saline dry versions now a modern signature.
Montilla-Moriles
Known here as Moscatel, producing aromatic sweet fortified wines in a sherry-style idiom
Montsant
Known as Moscatel, used for fresh aromatic whites and occasional sweet wines
Valencia
Used for Moscatel de Valencia, a fortified sweet wine dating to Roman times