Muscat d'Alexandrie B
Name of the variety in France

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

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

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

Wine and table grape variety.
Evolution of cultivated areas in France

1958 | 1968 | 1979 | 1988 | 1998 | 2008 | 2018 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ha | 2142 | 3170 | 3127 | 3162 | 2981 | 2923 | 2409 |
Descriptive elements

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.
- 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

Bud burst: 6 days after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: late-season, 4 weeks after Chasselas.
Grape maturity: late-season, 4 weeks after Chasselas.
Suitability for cultivation and agronomic production

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

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

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

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


- 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 - Institut Agro | Montpellier, 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.
- Documentary collections of the Centre de Ressources Biologiques de la Vigne de Vassal-Montpellier, INRAE - Institut Agro | Montpellier, 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
