This is a very old variety that dates back to the ancient world and comes from around the Mediterranean region. This true globetrotter is the lively and spicy representative of the enlarged Muscat family.
unknown, but possibly from Italy or Greece
one of the oldest grape varieties
1,543.43 ha; 3.5% of total area under vine
White wine grape variety
Parentage
This is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world, of which there are numerous different types – especially in Italy. Roter (red) Muskateller and Gelber (yellow) Muskateller are differentiated by the colour of their berries.
Vineyard area
Since the end of the 20th century, increasing numbers of this vine have been planted and the variety has achieved greater market significance. Between 1999 and 2020, the area under this variety increased considerably.
Important ampelographic features
Important ampelographic features
Leaf
medium-sized, five lobes, deeply sinuated, sharp pointed teeth with nodules at the tips
Grape cluster
medium-sized, loose to densely berried, cone-shaped; berries are round, greenish-yellow (Gelber Muskateller) or flesh-red (Roter Muskateller) in colour, with a muscat flavour
Vine growth over the course of the year
Ripening
Ripening
Significance & conditions
Muskateller gained popularity with consumers towards the end of the 20th century, since when increasing numbers of this vine have been planted across all wine-growing regions. The variety is not very demanding in terms of soil, which is an advantage for winegrowers. It can be a challenge in vineyards, however, as it is susceptible to rot and its yield is unpredictable due to the variety’s sensitivity during flowering. It also has the disadvantage of needing warm, airy vineyard sites, and being highly susceptible to oidium and botrytis.
Area under vine in Austria
(as a proportion of the variety’s total area)
Click on the wine origin in the list for a breakdown into more specific regions of origin.
Total area in Austria:
The Leithaberg and Neusiedlersee wine-growing regions overlap by almost 160 ha (Rieds Hausberg and Neuberg), according to the Austrian Wine Law. This means that the listed area under vine in Burgenland is 160 ha less than the actual total area across all wine-growing regions in Burgenland.
Characteristics of the wine
Characteristics of the wine
Produces wines with muscat aromas and flavours in varying degrees of intensity. With insufficient maturity, the wines are low in extract, and therefore thin and acidic. Muskateller is especially delicious as an aperitif and served alongside starters.
Source varietal specifications: Höhere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt für Wein- und Obstbau (Federal College and Federal Office for Viticulture, Oenology and Fruit Growing) in Klosterneuburg, “Austria’s Qualitätswein grape varieties and their clones“ („Österreichische Qualitätsweinrebsorten und deren Klone“), 2nd, reviewed edition, September 2015
Source area under vine: Calculation by Austrian Wine based on data from BML/IACS (as at 3 July 2024). Moving annual total (MAT) from July 2023 to July 2024.