MUSCAT, Muscatel

a rich grape, variously employed--for table purposes, both fresh and as raisins, and in wine and brandy manufacture. There are many varieties under cultivation, both "white" and red, the former being the more common.

The title is also applied to numerous sweet, strong, generally aromatic wines, varying in color from pale to tawny, prepared either wholly or in part from Muscat grapes--in France (see RIVESALTES), Italy. Austria-Hungary, Greece, Spain, United States and many other countries.

There is also a fine variety of pear known by the same title.