Wines made from Muscat Ottonel grapes of Wisconsin
Discover the best wines made with Muscat Ottonel as a single variety or as a blend of Wisconsin.
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.
Wisconsin is a Midwestern state located on the western shore of Lake Michigan. Although wine making dates back to the mid-19th century, Wisconsin's wine industry is small and focuses primarily on cold-hardy Hybrid varieties developed specifically for the colder Climates of the Northern half of North America. Valiant, Edelweiss, La Crosse and Frontenac are among the most widely planted varieties in Wisconsin vineyards. Wisconsin covers 170,000 km², between latitudes 42°N and 47°N.