Muscat of Alexandrias
Possibly hailing from North Africa, Muscat of Alexandrias was planted in Greece in the early 20th century. Its predilection for warmth helped it in adapting perfectly to the country, subsequently yielding sublimely sweet wines. Still, in recent years, a large percentage of its production has increasingly gone towards producing dry, aromatic white wines and a few sparkling ones. Be that as it may, in each and every manifestation, Muscat of Alexandrias promises utter enchantment.
Its extensive planting in Northern Greece aside, it is admittedly the volcanic soil of Lemnos which unfolds the variety’s attributes to their utmost. In Lemnos, Muscat of Alexandrias yields the PDO Muscat of Lemnos and PDO Lemnos wines. The former, bearing the “Muscat of Lemnos” geographical indication, are sweet wines while the latter are dry. Either type expresses the classic traits of the variety: the subtle aroma with overtones of apricot and mint; the rather rich body; and the roundness of mouth.
The large berries of Muscat of Alexandrias may render it less impressive and aromatic than its white muscat counterpart with its small berries. Still, this “understatement” may well prove the variety’s well-concealed triumph since it allows it to produce wines that accompany a wealth of dishes with greater ease. What is more, the variety is manifested so differently in Greece than it is in a number of other countries that the wine truly merits wine-tasting after wine-tasting. Whether at the dinner table, with a group of friends sharing this aromatic, easy-to-drink dry white wine, or journeying into the enchanting world of dessert wines, a Greek Muscat of Alexandrias is certain to produce nothing but faces wreathed in blissful smiles.
