Muscat grapes range from white to almost black in colour.
May 19, 2011
The Muscat grape is the world’s oldest known grape variety.
It probably originated in Greece but maybe the independent sultanate of Muscat in the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula had something to do with it. No doubt a Roman soldier or Phoenician trader brought it through Italy into Roman France. Early records show it shipped from the port of Frontignan in SW France during Charlemagne’s reign.
In the following centuries the Romans took the variety further through France and Germany. The Greeks took it to the Crimea in the Soviet Union and the Egyptians sent cuttings south to what is now South Africa. Egyptian traders gave them Muscat of Alexandria and European immigrants brought cuttings of Muscat a Petits Grains with them.
And here’s the interesting part. Muscat was officially introduced into Australia in the Busby Collection of 1832 and endorsed by Macarthur in 1844 as a suitable variety for Australian conditions. However, many early vine cuttings found their way into Australia via South Africa. Cuttings and seeds coming from South Africa account for many Australian early agricultural imports. The Americas received Muscat wines with its early Spanish and Italian immigrants.
Over 200 different varieties and derivatives to the Muscat family exist today. The most commonly known varieties of muscat grapes are:
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (also called Muscat Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Muscat Frontignan, Moscato Bianco, Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat d’Alsace, Muskateller, Muscatel de Grano Menudo, and Moscatel Rosé). This grape is used for the wines: asti spumante, clairette de die, and muscat de beaumes-de-venise
Moscato Giallo (or Goldmuskateller) and Moscato Rosa (or Rosenmuskateller) are thought to be closely related coloured versions of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.
Muscat of Alexandria (also called Moscatel, Moscatel Romano, Moscatel de Málaga, Gordo Blanco, Hanepoot, Lexia, Moscatel Gordo, and Zibibbo) This grape is used for sherry (and is one of only three permitted grape varieties to be used in a true Sherry), moscatel or muscatel wines, Muscatel de Valencia, Muscatel Passito and other Muscatel liqueurs and also as a raisin and table grape.
Muscat Ottonel (also called Moskately) Used for dessert wines in Austria
Muscat Hamburg (also called Black Muscat, Moscato di Amburgo) Used for some Eastern European wine but mainly for table grapes in Italy and Australia
Orange Muscat Used for some wines in California
Muscat is the only grape to produce wine with the same aroma as the grape itself. Sweet fortified Muscats have a classic rich, nose of dried fruits, raisins and oranges. This strong perfume prompted the Roman author Pliny, in his “Natural History,” to declare it “the grape of the bees.” The French noted the grape’s musky character and called it “Musqué,”
The vine itself is very vigorous but low yielding with medium size very dark green leaves. Bunches are medium sized, cylindrical in shape and elongated, very much like a chardonnay bunch. Muscat grapes range from white to almost black in colour. The Muscat we grow in Australia produces berries of medium size starting out green and transparent and then ripening to a rich golden yellow colour with a tinge of red. The fruit ripens early and is often left out on the vine till it starts to shrivel so as to produce grapes very high in natural sugars.
Muscat grapes are used in a variety of wine styles from the sugary Italian Asti Spumante to the sweet and strong Australian fortifieds and South African Constantia. Pisco is a unique brandy popular in Chile and Peru. It’s made from white Muscat varieties which grow in two places: the region of Pisco, Peru and the Valle del río Elqui in central Chile. Metaxa is a brandy liqueur from Greece which also uses Muscat grapes while France’s Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is another fortified wine with delicious orange aromas. At the other extreme is another French sparkling white called Clairette de Die with a fruity musky palate.
Source: http://www.uncork.biz/tidbits19.htm
Foodies and wine lovers travel north from Manila to wine and dine at Philippines’ best fine dining restaurant in Pampanga Clark Freeport worth the 60-minutes drive for a memorable evening of good food with vintage wine at Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar. Frequent travelers laud Yats Restaurant as the best place to eat, drink and unwind after work or golf in Clark Pampanga.
Over the holidays, travelers from Manila going to the north for a getaway destination choose Pampanga Angeles City and Clark Philippines as a popular holiday location. Aside from day-time sports and other activities, visitors look for a good restaurant to wine and dine, some bringing their families with children along. Yats Restaurant is one of the most famous fine dining restaurants outside of Manila, located in Mimosa Leisure Estate inside Clark Airbase or Clark Freeport Zone as it is now called. This popular restaurant has become a tourist attraction, a place to visit for those who are in Pampanga, Subic, Angeles City and of course, Clark Philippines.
This fine dining restaurant in Clark Pampanga is also famous for its low carbohydrates “low carb” dishes highly recommended for frequent diners who are on a low fat food and favor healthy food. This is a unique restaurant that can help frequent diners maintain a healthy diet and enjoy delicious fine dining cuisine at the same time. Vegetarian dishes are a specialty here also and so are “halal” cuisines also.
In Clark Pampanga, favorites of frequent diners, foodies and wine lovers are steaks, Wagyu, Foie Gras, lobsters, venison, kangaroo loin, osso buco, veal chops, Kurabuto pork, escargots and a good selection of cheeses to enjoy with fine Vintage port and Sauternes. Cuban cigars such as Monte Cristo, Cohiba, Upmann, Partagas, Romeo Julieta and Trinidad are also available in the Magnum Room which is a wine bar and lounge for before and after dinner relaxation. A good selection of Armagnac, Cognac, Single Malt, Vodka and other liquor is served in addition to the wine vintage wines some served by the glass. This is one of the best place to drink, relax and unwind with friends in Angeles City, Clark Pampanga.
Recent opinion survey of frequent travelers heading north towards Subic and Clark Pampanga revealed that the number one most frequently visited fine dining restaurant in Pampanga is Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar located in Clark Philippines.
Inquiries and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and rechell
Http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
For assistance in hotel and resort booking in Clark, Philippines, log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
For assistance in locating a suitable venue for wedding reception, log on to
http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com
