Moscato Giallo

Moscato Giallo or Yellow Muscat is a white Italian wine grape variety that is a member of the Muscat family of grapes. Known for its large deep cluster of loose, deep-yellow berries and golden colored wine, Moscato Giallo is grown mostly in northern Italy where it is most often used to produce passito style dessert wines. The grape is also planted in Croatia where it is known as Muškat žuti.

History and relationship with other grapes

Like many Muscat varieties, Moscato Giallo was long thought to be of Middle-Eastern origin, with Syria being the birthplace most commonly cited. However, in the early 21st century DNA analysis showed that Moscato Giallo shared a parent-offspring relationship with Muscat blanc à Petits Grains (also known as Moscato bianco). As the first documented mention of Muscat blanc à Petits Grains (under the synonym of Muscatellus) could be dated to the early 14th century, it is likely that the seemingly more recent Moscato Giallo is the offspring in the relationship.

Through this relationship with Muscat blanc à Petits Grains, Moscato is a half-sibling to several other grape varieties including Aleatico, Moscato di Scanzo, Moscato Rosa del Trentino, Muscat of Alexandria and Muscat rouge de Madère. As the vast majority of plantings of Moscato Giallo and its proliferation of siblings are found in northern Italy, ampelographers believe that the grape more likely originated in Italy than in the Middle East.

Similarities in name and morphology often lead to Moscato Giallo being confused with other Muscat varieties such as with the Moscato bianco in Sicily.

Viticulture

Moscato Giallo is an early to mid-ripening variety that can be very vigorous, producing a large leafy canopy that needs to be kept in check with pruning and canopy management.