First Know Your Grape

Around late September, on warm and sunny autumn afternoons, the open markets of Europe’s wine growing regions feature tables piled high with Muscat grapes. The air is so thick with their sweet grapey perfume, you could almost cut yourself a piece of Muscat pie. Wines made from the Muscat grape are aromatic and actually do taste like the grape itself. However, the Muscat and its varietal cousins are the exception: wine often tastes quite different than the grapes from which it is made. In short, the fruit in your wine doesn’t necessarily taste like the fruit on the vine.