Variety detail

Muscat Ottonel

About

Synonymum: Muscat Ottonel
0.3% of the total vineyard plantings.
Entered in the State Register of Grape Varieties in 1952.

Bunches are attractive and berries possess an immensely soft muscat taste which attracts lovers of aromatic table grapes. 

Variety of French origin, which was grown from seed by Robert-Moreau in Angers and it is most probably a cross between Chasselas and Yellow Muscat. Its growth is medium to weak. It is at its best only in fertile soils with low calcium as it does not tolerate calcareous soils. Growth in dry soils is rather slow. Frost-resistance is good, but this variety is prone to a condition referred to as coulure during flowering in inclement weather or as a result of spraying with copper-based substances against peronospera.

Difficult cultivation as well as uncertain yields have pushed this variety well into the background. For all that it gives very pleasing muscat-type wines which in the main have very a pleasing muscatty nose and taste. Wines may be full and well-balanced, when they have friendly acidity levels and if they have undergone temperature-controlled fermentation.

Light golden colour, very delicate and clean muscat nose, medium-bodied, full and very well balanced with lower levels of acidity. 

Unfortunately one is often likely to encounter special-attribute wines that have come from over-ripe grapes, which are lacking in decent acidity, are dull and oxidised, which can be detected by their darker colour tones, and that have a rather bitter finish. In order to achieve a high quality, the producer must have had sufficient technological experience with this variety. Going by the experience in Rumania (Murfatlar) or in Austria (Burgenland) it is possible to make superb dessert wines from over-ripened grapes of this variety.

Bunches are attractive and berries possess an immensely soft muscat taste which attracts lovers of aromatic table grapes. 

Basic characteristics of quality wines:

Light golden colour, very delicate and clean muscat nose, medium-bodied, full and very well balanced with lower levels of acidity. 

Translation © Helena & John Baker 2004.