Bukettraube

(Book-it-row-buh)

APPEARANCE

ON THE VINE: conical, compact bunches of round, firm grapes, the berries having a tough skin, yellowish green at maturity.

IN THE GLASS: light gold to a deep yellow, sometimes with a hint of pink.

 

SMELL

Prominent Muscat bouquet.

TASTE

Tropical fruit-salad, dried peach and apricot flavours. Mostly semi-sweet or Special Late Harvest in style.

ORIGIN

Thought to be German, though there is a variety in Alsace, France, called Bouquettraube, which is said to have originated in Würzburg and whose leaves resemble those of Elbling (another Alsace grape variety) and whose grapes are lightly Muscat-scented. “Bukett” is German for bouquet.

IN SOUTH AFRICA

First imported in 1967, the variety adapted well. South Africa is one of the few wine-producing countries in the world that bottles Bukettraube as a single varietal wine, with Cederberg being perhaps the most notable example.

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD

Still grown in Alsace on a small scale, Bukettraube has not been a great traveler – South Africa appears to be the only country outside Germany and France to have any plantings.

AGEING POTENTIAL

Generally no longer than 12 months.

MATCHING WITH FOOD

Best with spicy salads, smoked cold meats – or with ice cream in the case of very sweet expressions.

SERVING TEMPERATURE

Well chilled: between 8° and 10° C.