Muscat

Zibibbo is also know as Muscat of Alexandria and is typically used to make dessert wines.

This is from an Island located south west of Sicily.  Although part of Italy, it is actually closer to Africa (Tunisia).  It is a fascinating dessert wine. Made from Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria) grapes.  Amber in color with some golden hues.  The nose is great with canned peaches, apricots and candied oranges.  Viscous.  On the palate, this is sweet but not cloying.  Delicious.  Enough acidity to carry the fruit.  Also a touch of honey.  Long finish.  Great on its own, this would work well with Biscotti or shortbread.  Fun.

This comes in a very attractive package with a mushroom cork and wired cage.  There is no vintage noticeable although the Lot number starts with L23.  7%abv.  Silvery/green/gold in color with a thick mousse of medium sized bubbles.  The nose has pineapple, some papaya and minerality.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is sweet.  Refreshing.  Long finish.  This is a nice wine to start an evening or a lovely way to finish a meal perhaps with some shortbread or other plain cookie.  Drink now.  

An interesting white from Austria made from the Muskateller grape.  Light golden in color with touches of green, clear and bright.  The nose has tropical fruits along with a touch of nutmeg.  Light bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, this is tasty with pineapple and other tropical fruit.  A bit of nuttiness on the finish.  Nice on its own, this will work with lighter foods.  A nice wine with fried appetizers.  

Pale golden in color with green hues, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with floral notes, both fresh and dried.  Also some lemons and slight pears.  Medium bodied.  Slight viscosity.  Slightly oily texture.  On the palate, citrus with some minerality.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Good value.  This is an easy drinking white that is sure to please a crowd.  Drink over the next couple of years.  Nice on its own or with lighter foods but could even work with a burger off the grill.  

A nice treat to be able to try this at the winery.  10.5% abv.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has elderberries and sea air.  Viscous texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, sort of an apricot liqueur note.  Long finish.  This is tasty and easy to drink.  Great on its own, this would work with a not too sweet berry pastry.  Drink over the next ten years.  

Muskateller probably doesn't get the attention it deserves, getting short shrift to the Gruners and Rieslings in Austria.  Yet, some are quite charming and well worth visiting.  This is one.  Silvery/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lychees, elderberries, apricots and slight minty note.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, this is dry.  Apricots, lychee and slight elderberries.  Nice texture.  Good finish.  This drinks easy on its own and would be a nice wine with a lighter lunch.  Drink over the next few years.  

This is a very interesting wine.  It is a bit sweet but not cloying or dessert level.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is pretty.  Very floral.  Medium bodied.  Viscous texture.  On the palate, the floral aspects come thru.  Long finish.  This is a pretty wine that drinks well now and should continue for another five to eight years.  It drinks easily and on the lighter side on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  Tuna salad would be a nice match for lunch.

This is a dessert wine made from Muscat a Petit Grains in the southern Rhone.  Vidal Fleury is now owned by the Guigal family, but the winery is the oldest in the Rhone.  Thomas Jefferson visited in the 1700's.  This is an excellent value in dessert wine.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is pretty with apricot and blood orange and a slight honey note.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Sweet, not cloying.  On the palate, oranges and slight honey notes.  Long finish.  A nice way to top off an evening.  This is nice on its own and would work well with a less sweet cake or cookie.