The Muscat family is perhaps one of the largest in the grape world, and Sárgamuskotály is one of its most prominent members. It is cultivated in many places and possesses as many names as places where it is grown. Even within Hungary, it has various different names, for example Muscat Lunel, Muscat Blanc and Bárzsing, to name but a few. Its official name is Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains. It is probably not of French origin, but rather Greek or Italian. The variety was first mentioned in Italy in the 14th century, but it is also possible that it made its way from Greece to present-day Italy.
The variety if found almost everywhere in the world and has a special history wherever it is grown, thus lending its own flavour to this enticing wine. It is most widespread in Italy, for example it is the basis of the Asti sparkling wines, while in France, it is used to make fortified wines in the Rhône Valley and the Languedoc, and it is even drawing attention in China. The variety is also revered in the German-speaking world, where Gelber Muskateller (a word-for-word translation of the Hungarian Sárga Muskotály) produces both dry and noble sweet, botrytised wines. In Austria, plantings of the variety around Lake Neusiedl in the Burgenland have grown exponentially in the last ten years, light wines are produced in Styria and even Wachau takes it pretty seriously.
It is cultivated on 860 hectares in Hungary, representing 10% of vines in the Tokaj wine region. However, it is only found in negligible quantities in the other wine regions, with the exception of the Mátra wine district, where there are large plantings.
As mentioned above, the variety is also responsible for some unique wines, and this is also the case in Hungary. In Tokaj, it not only produces dry wines, but sometimes also Aszú is made entirely from the variety, with both the base wine and the Aszú berries derived from it.
Its fresh grape, grape blossom, perfume and aromatic notes are unquestionably thanks in part to its monoterpenes. It is blessed with fresh acidity and floral aromas such as violet. It is a master of many styles, from bubbles to high alcohol, and from dry to sweet. Perhaps the most important thing to highlight is how long the wines keep, which of course depends a lot on the type of wine. However, these wines are best enjoyed young because of their fresh, primary aromas.