Muscat de Frontignan

APPEARANCE

ON THE VINE: an early-ripening variety with medium to small bunches. The berries are small, round and green-yellow in colour, changing to yellow brown – or to pink and reddish brown – as they ripen. Moderate vigour and yield.

 

IN THE GLASS: white Muscadel has shades of yellow gold.

SMELL

Muscat produces fragrant wines, with spicy, dried apricot and peach undertones, hints of crystallised orange, pineapple and honey.

TASTE

Rich and sweet, while at the same time (at its best) light and delicate – wonderful as a dessert wine.

ORIGIN

Muscat de Frontignan is the name for the once internationally renowned wine of Frontignan in France and a synonym for the grape variety solely responsible for it, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. It may be the oldest known wine-grape variety as well as the oldest cultivated in France. It was planted by the Romans in Gaul around Narbonne, specifically at Frontignan, but may have been introduced even earlier to the Marseille region by the Greeks.

IN SOUTH AFRICA

It produces grapes varying in skin colour from pink to reddish brown, hence both red and white Muscadels. Although this variety is regarded as the best quality version of Muscat, it is a shy bearer and has been overshadowed in the past by the lesser Muscat d'Alexandrie (Hanepoot). Muscat de Frontignan has a long and distinguished history in the Cape. Probably among the first cuttings to arrive in the Cape in the 17th century, it was used in the Constantia sweet wines that gained international acclaim. Also used as a blending wine.

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD

Australia (where it is known as Brown Muscat); the Mediterranean, especially Greece and Italy; Spain; France; Germany; California and South America.

BEST EXAMPLES

From South Africa: Klein Constantia's Vin de Constance, Nederburg Eminence, Nuy White Muscadel, Thelema. From Greece: the revered Muscats from Samos, Pátrai and Kefallinía. From France: the sweet golden Muscats of Beaumes-de-Venise, Frontignan, Lunel, Mireval and St-Jean-de-Minervois.

AGEING POTENTIAL

In 2002 a bottle of 1791 Vin de Constance (probably made from Muscat de Frontignan, originally planted in the Cape by Governor Jan van Riebeeck) was opened in honour of the 75th birthday of Klein Constantia owner, Duggie Jooste – and it did not disappoint!

MATCHING WITH FOOD

Poached pears for the budget conscious and foie gras for the big spenders!

SERVING TEMPERATURE

Between 8° and 10  C.