Moscatel

Q: What is Moscatel – a grape variety or a wine type?

Moscatel is a grape variety – more precisely, one of the oldest aromatic varieties in the world, botanically belonging to the Muscat family. The name refers to the grape, not a specific aging style. Whether dry, sweet, or as a fortified wine: everything depends on how the winemaker processes the grapes.

Q: How do I recognize a good Moscatel?

The trademark of the variety is orange blossom, ripe grapes, and rose scent – these aromas should be clear and fresh, not heavy or artificial. On the palate, sweetness may be present, but it should be balanced by acidity or freshness. If a Moscatel tastes flat or sharp on the finish, it usually lacks ripeness or care in the cellar.

Q: How does Spanish Moscatel differ from Portuguese?

Spanish Moscatel is often aged as a fortified wine – with added alcohol, intense sweetness, and long aging, partly in the Solera system. Portuguese Moscatel often appears somewhat lighter and more floral, with more freshness. Both styles stand on their own – the difference lies less in the grape than in the cellar tradition.

Q: What is a Moscatel fortified wine, and how is it made?

With a Vino de Licor Moscatel, fermentation is interrupted by the addition of brandy – this preserves natural grape sugar, and the alcohol rises to 15–22% vol. The result is a velvety-sweet wine with a long shelf life. On the Iberian Peninsula, this style is particularly rooted in Andalusia and Portugal.

Q: What does Moscatel pair with at the table?

Sweet Moscatel wines harmonize with blue cheese, almond desserts, or fresh fruit – the sweetness of the grape needs a counterpart with spice or acidity. Lighter, dry variants pair well with aromatic dishes like Asian cuisine or goat cheese. Served well-chilled as an aperitif, both styles work.

More info

At a glance

Products: 6

Moscatel is one of the oldest and most aromatically impressive grape varieties in the world. What makes it so special: its intense scents of orange blossoms, ripe grapes, and roses travel almost unchanged from the grape into the glass. On the palate, it is versatile – everything is possible, from dry-fresh with lively acidity to velvety-sweet as a dessert wine.

Moscatel is primarily at home on the Iberian Peninsula, where Spain and Portugal age it into intense sweet wines that rightly enjoy cult status. At Vinoscout, you will discover a small, hand-picked selection of carefully chosen Moscatel wines – an accessible entry into one of the most fascinating grape varieties in the wine world.

6 products

Gold

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Natureo Free Blanco alcohol-free

Torres 4.4

9,85 €

0,75 l

13,13 €/l

Nutrition

Gold

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Portugal

Lisbon

Moscatel

Sottal Leve Branco 2024

Companhia Agrícola do Sanguinhal

7,95 €

0,75 l

10,60 €/l

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Bodega 65 Cuvee Dos Blanc 2024

Bodega65

22,90 €

0,75 l

30,53 €/l

Nutrition

Gold

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Portugal

Moscatel

Moscatel de Setúbal 'Alambre 20 Years' DOC 0,5L

José Maria da Fonseca

55,00 €

0,5 l

110,00 €/l

Nutrition

90

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Spain

Andalusia

Moscatel

Solera Familiar Moscatel Emilín

Emilio Lustau

28,25 €

0,75 l

37,67 €/l

Nutrition

Gold

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Spain

Catalonia

Moscatel

Viña Esmeralda Sparkling

Torres

13,95 €

0,75 l

18,60 €/l

Nutrition

Other grape varieties

Aglianico Albariño Aligoté Arinto Arneis Auxerrois Bacchus Barbara Blauburger Blaufränkisch Bourboulenc Cabernet Blanc Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon545 Callet Cannonau Carignan Carmenère Carricante Catarratto Chardonnay644 Chenin Blanc Cinsault Clairette Codega Colombard Complexa Cortese Corvina Dolcetto Dornfelder Elbling Falanghina Fiano Folle Blanche Friulano Frühburgunder Gaglioppo Gamay Garganega Yellow Muscat Gewürztraminer Glera Graciano Pinot Gris Grechetto Greco Grenache Noir182 Grenache Blanc Grenache Gris Grillo Groppello Gros Manseng Grüner Veltliner Gutedel Inzolia Kerner Lagrein Lambrusco Lemberger Loureiro Macabeo Malbec Malvasia Nera Manto Negro Marsanne Marselan Marzemino Melon de Bourgogne Merlot287 Monastrell Monica of Sardinia Montepulciano Moscatel6 Moscato Moscato d'Alessandria Müller-Thurgau Muscadelle Muscat Muskattrollinger Nebbiolo Negroamaro Nerello Mascalese Nero d'Avola Nero di Troia Palomino Fino Parellada Passerina Pecorino Pedro Ximenez Petit Manseng Petit Verdot Pinot Bianco Pinot Blanc Pinot Grigio Pinot Gris Pinot Meunier Pinot Nero Pinotage Portuguese Prensal Blanc Primitivo Rabigato Refosco Regent Ribolla Gialla Riesling581 Rondinella Roussanne Sagrantino Sangiovese147 Sauvignon Blanc244 Scheurebe Semillon Silvaner Gray Souvenir Pinot Noir445 St. Laurent Syrah Tempranillo Tinta Barroca Torrontés Touriga Franca Touriga Nacional Trapiche Varietals Trebbiano Trebbiano di Lugana Trepat Trollinger Verdejo Vermentino Vernatsch Viognier Pinot Blanc Welschriesling Xarello Zinfandel Zweigelt

Quick answers

What is Moscatel – a grape variety or a wine type?

Moscatel is a grape variety – more precisely, one of the oldest aromatic varieties in the world, botanically belonging to the Muscat family. The name refers to the grape, not a specific aging style. Whether dry, sweet, or as a fortified wine: everything depends on how the winemaker processes the grapes.

How do I recognize a good Moscatel?

The trademark of the variety is orange blossom, ripe grapes, and rose scent – these aromas should be clear and fresh, not heavy or artificial. On the palate, sweetness may be present, but it should be balanced by acidity or freshness. If a Moscatel tastes flat or sharp on the finish, it usually lacks ripeness or care in the cellar.

How does Spanish Moscatel differ from Portuguese?

Spanish Moscatel is often aged as a fortified wine – with added alcohol, intense sweetness, and long aging, partly in the Solera system. Portuguese Moscatel often appears somewhat lighter and more floral, with more freshness. Both styles stand on their own – the difference lies less in the grape than in the cellar tradition.

What is a Moscatel fortified wine, and how is it made?

With a Vino de Licor Moscatel, fermentation is interrupted by the addition of brandy – this preserves natural grape sugar, and the alcohol rises to 15–22% vol. The result is a velvety-sweet wine with a long shelf life. On the Iberian Peninsula, this style is particularly rooted in Andalusia and Portugal.

What does Moscatel pair with at the table?

Sweet Moscatel wines harmonize with blue cheese, almond desserts, or fresh fruit – the sweetness of the grape needs a counterpart with spice or acidity. Lighter, dry variants pair well with aromatic dishes like Asian cuisine or goat cheese. Served well-chilled as an aperitif, both styles work.

How are Moscatel and Sherry related?

Moscatel is one of the permitted grape varieties in the Sherry growing region of Jerez. There, it is mostly used as an independent sweet wine or as a blending wine to give other Sherries more fullness and aroma. A single-varietal Moscatel Sherry is a category of its own – intense, sweet, with distinct raisin and floral notes.

Moscatel – fragrant, versatile, unmistakable

Moscatel is one of the oldest and most aromatically distinctive grape varieties in the world. What makes it so special: this intense, floral-fruity fragrance that fills the room the moment it is poured. Typical are floral notes – orange blossom, rose petals – combined with a fine fruitiness that ranges from fresh and light to lush and sweet, depending on the type of wine. Moscatel can be produced as dry, semi-dry or luscious, as a still wine or sparkling wine – the variety is amazingly adaptable.

Between Spain and Portugal

Moscatel is primarily at home on the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain, it is used to create both elegant dry wines and concentrated sweet wines with a long tradition. Portugal is also well acquainted with the variety – here it often appears fresh and light-footed. Both countries are represented in our small but fine range.

Discover Moscatel at Vinoscout

With us, you will find a small, hand-picked selection of Moscatel wines – including the classic Viña Esmeralda Sparkling from Torres as a sparkling variant, the Natureo Free Blanco as an alcohol-free option and the concentrated Solera Familiar Moscatel Emilín for those who like it a bit more intense. Whether you are looking for an uncomplicated summer wine or something special for dessert – there is something for every taste here.

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