Wines made from Muscat Ottonel grapes of Niederösterreich
Discover the best wines made with Muscat Ottonel as a single variety or as a blend of Niederösterreich.
Muscat Ottonel has the character of a grape variety with a distant lineage. It was first obtained in 1839 and continues to be planted in nearly 2,000 hectares of vineyards around the world. It shows good vigour and promises satisfactory production, of the order of 6 kilos per vine. The bunches, which are rather loose, are quite large, bearing berries with a strong character. A pleasantly musky flavour and a lot of juice characterize the pulp, protected by a medium skin. The bluish-black skin contributes to the exceptional beauty of the vineyards at harvest time. The size of the ellipsoidal berries is another argument in favor of Muscat Ottonel, which is also known as Muscat Ottone or Muscadet Ottonel. Resin, toast, honey and wild flowers are all present in the wines made from this variety. If the foliage, which turns yellow in autumn, is one of its charms, remember to protect the fruit from grey rot and coulure.
Niederösterreich, or Lower Austria, is a wine region in the Northeast of Austria bordering Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It is the country's largest wine region, both geographically and in terms of production. There are around 28,000 hectares (69,000 acres) of vineyards. These are responsible for roughly half of Austria's total wine output.
When asked which is the most exciting appellation in the Rhône, there’s one that currently springs to mind before all others: Tavel. I have to be honest with you: I don’t buy much rosé. So, given that Tavel is, according to The Oxford Companion to Wine, ‘one of France’s few all-rosé appellations,’ my response might be unexpected. The Oxford Companion is technically correct, of course – the wines made here are paler than a typical red wine. But compared to other rosés, that’s where the comparison ...
Think of Colombia, think of balmy evenings dancing to salsa, fuelled by shots of aguardiente and arepas. But there’s plenty more than the anise-based spirit and cornmeal cakes to sample in the South American country. Chefs have stepped up their game to put gastronomy on the map, with sommeliers and bartenders following suit. Not just appreciating local ingredients and distilling spirits, they also seek out wines from around the world to accompany fine-dining experiences. Their endeavours have pa ...
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has received official approval from the Chinese government to resume its operation in mainland China following a year of suspended business activities at the end of January 2021. WSET has appointed Willa Yang as chief representative to head up its operations in China. Yang previously held leadership roles at Wine Australia’s China office and the Australian Trade Commission. In addition, supporting its return to business in mainland China, WSET announc ...