Orange Muscat
Orange Muscat is a white grape variety best known in California, Oregon and Australia.
Though not known for sure, the origin of Orange Muscat is thought to lie in Italy or France. Relatively popular at one time, the grape is not widely planted in either country today. In Italy, Orange Muscat is known as Moscato Fior d’Arancio, meaning “Orange Blossom Muscat” in Italian. Its French name, Muscat Fleur d’Orange, has the same meaning.
As its name may hint, Orange Muscat has a distinctive and strong aroma of orange. Its powerful aromatics also include orange blossom, apricot, pear and spicy fruit. It also shares some characteristics typical of the Muscat family of grapes, including a relatively lush mouthfeel. It is produced in dry, off-dry and fully sweet styles.
The Orange Muscat is a relatively obscure grape variety, though it is a cross between two more widely-known parents: Muscat Blanc Ă Petit Grains and Chasselas.
Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains is the noblest grape of the Muscat family. It has the distinction of being the oldest grape variety cultivated in France and may be the world’s oldest grape variety overall. It produces wines with pronounced grape flavors, spicy notes, and some of the orange and citrus aromas found prominently in Orange Muscat. Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains is grown throughout the world, with considerable plantings in Italy, France, Greece, Australia and California. Like Orange Muscat, this variety is used to produce dry and sweet wines.
Its other parent is Chasselas, Switzerland’s best known and most widely planted white grape variety. It does not share the noble reputation of Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains, though it produces quality white wine in the Vaud region of Switzerland and Savoie in France. Chasselas has a relatively neutral flavor profile, so its best wines tend to reflect the terroir rather than any specific grape characteristics. It is also grown in Chile, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Serbia.
The production of Orange Muscat is small and is concentrated mostly in the U.S. and Australia. Perhaps the most prominent producer of Orange Muscat in the U.S. is Quady Winery in San Joaquin Valley. Its flagship wine is Essensia, a lush and full-bodied sweet wine made entirely from Orange Muscat.
In Australia, Orange Muscat production is centered in Victoria. Some producers use Orange Muscat in the lusciously sweet wines of Rutherglen, and there are also plantings in Beechworth, Glenrowan, Goulburn Valley and King Valley.
Looking for an Orange Muscat wine from a specific region, or offered at a particular price point? Use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide below. We make learning about wine and spirits and browsing top-rated beverages a breeze.
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Day 2021 Tears of Vulcan White (Chehalem Mountains)
Willamette ValleyExtended-skin contact fans will want to add this wine to their collection. ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$37 -
Murrieta's Well 2021 The Whip White (Livermore Valley)
Central CoastThis eclectic blend of 45% Sauvignon Blanc, 29% Malvasia Blanca, 16% Orange ...See Full Review$30 -
Chambers Rosewood Vineyards NV Muscat Blanc Ă Petits Grains (Rutherglen)
VictoriaThis tawny-hued, late-picked Muscat is one of the best bargains in fortified ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$16 -
Bonny Doon 2021 Le Cigare Orange Skin-Contact Wine of the Earth Grenache Blanc (Central Coast)
Central CoastThis is an orange wine blend, with 10% each Grenache and Orange ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$15 -
Murrieta's Well 2020 Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Livermore Valley)
Central CoastThis especially smooth, full-bodied version of the varietal flows harmoniously from a ...See Full Review$18 -
Millton 2019 Libiamo Field Blend White (Gisborne)
New ZealandWidely hailed as the NZ “Godfather of biodynamics”, James Millton's Libiamo wines ...See Full Review$40 -
Domaine la Ligière 2019 Chante Coucou (Muscat de Beaumes de Venise)
RhĂ´ne ValleyOrange blossom and honeysuckle perfumes are juxtaposed with whiffs of smoke and ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Vidal-Fleury 2019 Réserve (Muscat de Beaumes de Venise)
RhĂ´ne ValleyStreaks of tangerine, apricot nectar and orange blossom introduce this juicy, freshly ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Bella Grace 2021 Orange Muscat (Amador County)
Sierra FoothillsThis lightly sweet and light-bodied wine offers charming honeysuckle and ripe peach ...See Full Review$26 -
La Petite Mort 2020 Gentil Qvevri White (Granite Belt)
QueenslandA blend of GewĂĽrztraminer and Muscat, this wine receives 151 days on ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$43 -
Quady 2018 Essensia Orange Muscat (California)
California OtherThis lightly sweet and complex wine blends floral notes with honey, almond ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$23 -
Böjt 2019 Egri Csillag White (Eger)
HungaryThis straw colored Hungarian wine is a blend of Olasrizling, Sauvignon Blanc, ...See Full Review$22 -
King Estate 2019 Four Nobles Cuvée Blanc White (Willamette Valley)
Willamette ValleyThis estate-grown blend includes 38% Pinot Gris, 38% GewĂĽrztraminer, 15% Muscat and ...See Full Review$30 -
Chambers Rosewood Vineyards NV Muscat (Rutherglen)
VictoriaChambers is a benchmark producer of the Rutherglen style and this late-picked ...See Full Review$16 -
Hard Row To Hoe 2020 Whole Picture Farmer Jon Vineyard Orange Muscat (Lake Chelan)
Columbia ValleyThe aromas are perfumed, with notes of flower pollen, tangerine zest and ...See Full Review$22 -
Cramele Recas 2019 Solo Quinta White (Recas)
RomaniaThis blend of Chardonnay, Feteasca Regala, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Ottonel and Merlot ...See Full Review$24 -
Sheldrake Point 2019 Beta Series Bubbles Muscat Ottonel (Finger Lakes)
Finger LakesThis forced-carbonated Muscat delivers aromas of lemon-lime, orange, melon and pear. The ...See Full Review$20 -
Alheit 2017 Hemelrand Vine Garden White (Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge)
South AfricaA blend of 26% Chenin Blanc, 26% Chardonnay, 23% Roussanne, 21% Verdelho ...See Full Review$45 -
Calendar 2019 White (Yakima Valley)
Columbia ValleyConsisting mostly of Muscat Ottonel, the aromas pop, with notes of Mandarin ...Best BuySee Full Review$14 -
Pyramid Valley 2019 Orange Pinot Gris (North Canterbury)
New ZealandThis is a full-throttle orange wine from one of the country's top ...See Full Review$40
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