Muscat d'Alexandrie

Muscat d'Alexandrie B

Name of the variety in France Name under which the variety is officially registered in the catalogue of grapevine varieties in France and under which it may be propagated and disseminated.

Name under which the variety is officially registered in the catalogue of grapevine varieties in France and under which it may be propagated and disseminated.

Muscat d'Alexandrie

Origin

This variety is originally from the Mediterranean region. Based on published genetic analyses, Muscat d'Alexandrie would be the result of a crossbreeding between Muscat à petits grains blancs and Heptakilo.

Synonyms

Recognised alternative names that may be used to identify the propagation material of the variety in France or in other member countries of the European Union.

In the European Union, Muscat d'Alexandrie is officially called by other names: Damaszener Muskat (Austria), Moscatel Graúdo (Portugal), and Zibibbo (Italy, Malta). These synonyms are officially recognized in France regarding plant propagation material.

Legal information This information indicates on which list the variety is registered (A or B), whether it is classified for wine grapes, and in which member countries of the European Union the variety is also officially registered (for more information, see the <a href="/en/reglementation">"Legislation"</a>menu).

This information indicates on which list the variety is registered (A or B), whether it is classified for wine grapes, and in which member countries of the European Union the variety is also officially registered (for more information, see the <a href="/en/reglementation">"Legislation"</a>menu).

In France, Muscat d'Alexandrie is officially listed in the "Catalogue of vine varieties" on the A list. It is classified as a wine grape variety only in some French department (see the regulations in force). This variety is also listed in the catalogues of other Member States of the European Union: Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain.

Use

This information indicates the normal and statutory use for the grapes.

Wine and table grape variety.

Evolution of cultivated areas in France

The figures provided are taken from vineyard land registers (IVCC, ONIVIT, ONIVINS), general agricultural censuses (SCEES-INSEE) and the current computerised vineyard register (DGDDI, FAM).<br>
Regional vine planting data is available on the following site: <a href="https://visionet.franceagrimer.fr/Pages/DonneesInteractivesDocs.aspx?sousmenu=observatoire%20de%20la%20viticulture" target="">visionet</a>.

	1958	1968	1979	1988	1998	2008	2018
ha	2142	3170	3127	3162	2981	2923	2409

Descriptive elements

<p>Only the principal ampelographic elements enabling the varieties to be characterised and identified are provided. They are presented according to the descriptor code recognised by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), the Community Plant Variety Office (OCVV) and Bioversity International (for more information, see the <a href="/en/vocabulaire">"Ampelographic glossary"</a> menu).<br>
The photographs of leaves and grapes were taken in natural conditions, on the vine, in very similar situations in terms of growing conditions (sandy soil, Mediterranean coast):</p>
<ul>
<li>Domaine de l'Espiguette (IFV), Le Grau du Roi (Gard),</li>
<li>Domaine de Vassal (INRAE), Marseillan (Hérault),</li>
<li>La Gaillarde Campus (Institut Agro | Montpellier SupAgro), Montpellier (Hérault).</li>
</ul>
<p>Only a few photographs, including the tips of bunches, were taken in other conditions.</p>

The identification is based on:
- the tip of the young shoot with a high density of prostrate hairs,
- the bronzed young leaves,
- the small, circular adult leaves, with five lobes, V-shaped lateral sinuses, a slightly open petiole sinus, small teeth with straight sides, long compared to their width at the base, an anthocyanin coloration limited to petiole sinus,
- the ellipsoid or obovoid berries with muscat flavor.

Genetic profile

Microsatellite	VVS2	VVMD5	VVMD7	VVMD27	VRZAG62	VRZAG79	VVMD25	VVMD28	VVMD32
Allel 1	131	225	249	176	186	248	248	243	263
Allel 2	147	229	251	191	204	256	248	267	271

Phenology

<p>The growth stages indicated are the result of obsrvations made at the Domaine de Vassal Estate where the set of these varieties form a collection. The results are indicated compared to the Chasselas vine variety as a reference in order to make comparisons between years and different sites. As such, for information purposes, the dates for the Chasselas B growth stage at Domaine de Vassal are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>Bud burst, 21 March (average over 50 years)</li>
<li>Grape maturity, 14 August (average over 50 years)</li>
</ul>

Bud burst: 6 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: late-season, 4 weeks after Chasselas.

Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production The data on suitability are the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and the study of bibliographic references.

The data on suitability are the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and the study of bibliographic references.

Muscat d’Alexandrie is slightly vigorous with a drooping bearing. It is generally managed with short pruning, in gobelet. This variety is well adapted to drought and to gravelly, acidic or decalcified terroirs. Muscat d’Alexandrie vines tend to age fairly quickly. Muscat d’Alexandrie requires hot temperatures so that the grapes ripen properly and for the lignification of the vine wood.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests These remarks are also the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and study of bibliographic references.

These remarks are also the result of field observations or, if none are available, of bibliography mining and study of bibliographic references.

Muscat d’Alexandrie is sensitive to powdery mildew, grey rot and to insects.

Technological potentiality

<p>The size of grape clusters and berries indicated are based on the following scales:</p>
<table id="potentiel">
<thead>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td colspan="2">Wine grape varieties</td>
<td colspan="2">Table grape varieties</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Size</td>
<td>Bunch (g)</td>
<td>Berry (g)</td>
<td>Bunch (g)</td>
<td>Berry (g)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Very small</td>
<td>≤ 100</td>
<td>< 1</td>
<td>< 150</td>
<td>< 2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Small</td>
<td>100 - 200</td>
<td>1,5 - 2</td>
<td>150 - 250</td>
<td>2 - 3,5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Moderate</td>
<td>200 - 250</td>
<td>2 - 2,5</td>
<td>250 - 400</td>
<td>3,5 - 5,5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Large</td>
<td>250 - 400</td>
<td>2,5 - 3,5</td>
<td>400 - 700</td>
<td>5,5 - 8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Very large</td>
<td>> 400</td>
<td>> 3,5</td>
<td>> 700</td>
<td>> 8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Remarks concerning the characteristics of the wines are generally based on tastings organised by juries of professionals.</p>

The bunches are large and the berries very large. Muscat d’Alexandrie can produce sweet wines with powerful, elegant and floral aromas. The sugar potential of this variety can only be expressed in climatic situations adapted to its particular needs. Muscat d’Alexandrie can also produce dry wines, possibly sparkling or can be blended to provide aromatic input.

Clonal selection in France In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

The five certified Muscat d’Alexandrie clones carry the numbers 308, 635, 866, 979 and 1014. A conservatory of twenty or so clones was planted in the French department of Pyrénées-Orientales in 2013.

Bibliographic references The main bibliographical sources are provided.

- Catalogue des variétés et clones de vigne cultivés en France. Collectif, 2007, Ed. IFV, Le Grau-du-Roi, France.
- Documentary collections of the Centre de Ressources Biologiques de la Vigne de Vassal-Montpellier, INRAE - Montpellier SupAgro, Marseillan, France.
- Dictionnaire encyclopédique des cépages et de leurs synonymes. P. Galet, 2015, Ed. Libre&Solidaire, France.
- Traité général de viticulture, Ampélographie. P. Viala and V. Vermorel, 1901-1909, Ed. Masson, Paris, France.

Description of clones certified in France In this section, the list of certified clones is given. Information on clone conservatories is also provided.

		Identity and availability					Agronomic data						Technological data						Autres informations
Clone no.	Marque	Origin	Selection	Year of certification	Agronomic references	Surface area used for propagation (year)	Fertility	Production level	Bunch weight	Vigor	Berry size	Susceptibility to grey rot	Sugar level	Color potential	Titrable acidity	Tannic structure	Aromatic intensity	Oenological suitability	New	General note	Agro-tecnic note	Note agronomique	Agronomic note	Links
308		Hérault	ENTAV	1973	Languedoc-Roussillon	3.87 ha		medium	medium	medium			medium to high		high			representative wines of the variety		clone appreciated for its average production level and good aromatic intensity
635		Hérault	ENTAV	1979	Languedoc-Roussillon	0.63 ha		medium	medium				medium					representative wines of the variety
866		Pyrénées-Orientales	ENTAV	1986	Roussillon	0.44 ha		medium	medium				medium		medium to high			representative wines of the variety
979		Pyrénées-Orientales	ENTAV	1981	Roussillon			medium to high	medium	medium to high			medium		medium			representative wines of the variety
1014		Pyrénées-Orientales	CA 66 - IFV	2008	Roussillon		high	high	high	medium to high	heterogeneous		medium		medium		high	aromatic wines with notes of ripe fruits, honey, dried fruits and candied orange		high vigor and drooping bearing	Good viticultural behaviour. Clone brings a complementary aromatic range compared to the existing range.	high production level and low susceptibility to coulure and millerandage

Note

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Catalogue of grapevines cultivated in France