Muscadelle is a white grape variety most associated with sweet wines such as Sauternes and Monbazillac. It is often blended with other varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.
The Muscadelle grape produces light yellow-green coloured wines with floral and citrus aromas. On the palate, it has a light and refreshing taste with herbal and honeyed notes.
Muscadelle is mainly grown in the Bordeaux region of France, where it is used to make botrytized sweet wines but also dry examples. It is also found in Australia and California. Muscadelle is an early to mid ripening variety with relatively thin skins, making it suitable for the production of sweet wines. It is relatively susceptible to powdery mildew and other pests and is therefore planted on well-exposed sunny sites. In the Bordeaux region of France, Muscadelle is used in blends to produce sweet wines such as Sauternes, Monbazillac and Loupiac. In the United States and Australia, Muscadelle is often used to make late harvest wines as well as dry wines. Due to its sweet and fruity nature, Muscadelle pairs well with desserts, particularly those containing fruits such as apples and pears. It also goes well with creamy cheeses such as Brie and Camembert.
Although it was named after its supposed Muscat aroma (Muscadelle), Muscadelle is not related to any Muscat variety.