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

1,524.66 ha; 3.4%

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.

A picture shows grapes of the grape variety Gelber Muskateller.

Important ampelographic features

© Austrian Wine / Oberleithner

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

 

 

Ripening

Ripening

very early
early
early to middle
middle
middle to late
late
very late

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.

A picture shows a hand holding a glass of white wine.

Characteristics of the wine

© Austrian Wine / Blickwerk Fotografie

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 28 June 2023). Moving annual total (MAT) from June 2022 to June 2023.

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