Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Small Grain Muscat)

In Spain, Moscatel de Grano Menudo is the second most planted Muscat for wine. It is found across Spain, with the majority of the plantings in Castilla-La Mancha. Spain grew 21,902 hectares of Moscatel de Grano Menudo in 2015.
The Moscatel de Grano Menudo is a variety found throughout the Mediterranean known by many names depending on the area. For example, it is known as Moscatel morisco in Andalusia, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains in France, Muscat do Douro in Portugal, etc. It is classified as one of the oldest varieties in the world. The Greeks called it Anathelicon moschaton and the Romans Apianae. It is the vine most attractive to bees and wasps. It produces highly aromatic white wines and it can be vinified both as dry and sweet. A very early budding variety, it is quite sensitive to spring frosts. It has semi-creeping growth with small, cylindrical clusters that ripen very early with a tendency to turn into raisins. It is renowned for having a large amount of natural sugar, producing wines with a high alcohol content and traces of sugar. The highly aromatic skins have floral and rosewood aromas, and in an overripe state, fragrances of raisins, figs or dates.