muscat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialist/Formal. Common in viticulture, oenology, gourmet food/drink contexts, and descriptive menus.
Quick answer
What does “muscat” mean?
A sweet white wine made from muscat grapes, or the variety of grape itself.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sweet white wine made from muscat grapes, or the variety of grape itself.
Can refer to the specific grape cultivar used for winemaking, dessert wines, and raisins, as well as the wine produced from it. Sometimes used as a modifier for other products (e.g., muscat flavour).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The term is international in wine commerce. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Connotes sweetness, dessert wines, and sometimes older, traditional wine styles. In the UK, may have stronger associations with fortified wines like Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects within relevant domains (wine, food).
Grammar
How to Use “muscat” in a Sentence
[drink/serve] + muscat[made/produced] from + muscat[adjective] + muscat + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “muscat” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The sommelier recommended a Australian liqueur muscat with the pudding.
- They grow several old muscat varieties in the greenhouse.
American English
- This Muscat from California has intense floral notes.
- We used muscat raisins in the recipe.
adjective
British English
- It had a distinct muscat character.
- She prefers a muscat-style dessert wine.
American English
- The jelly has a muscat grape flavour.
- It's a muscat-based aperitif.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in wine industry marketing, import/export, and hospitality menus.
Academic
Found in viticulture, horticulture, and food science texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing wine choices, recipes, or gourmet foods.
Technical
Precise term for Vitis vinifera 'Muscat blanc à petits grains' and related cultivars.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “muscat”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “muscat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “muscat”
- Confusing 'muscat' (grape/wine) with 'musket' (gun). Misspelling as 'muskcat'. Using as a general term for any sweet wine.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related. 'Moscato' is the Italian name for the Muscat grape and often refers to lighter, slightly sparkling Italian wines made from it (e.g., Moscato d'Asti).
While most famous for sweet and dessert styles, some producers make dry or off-dry wines from Muscat grapes, showcasing the grape's aroma without significant residual sugar.
They are completely different. Muscat is an aromatic grape for sweet wines. Muscadet is a dry white wine from the Loire region of France, made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape.
Yes. Muscat grapes are eaten as table grapes and are widely used for making raisins (sultanas). The grape's essence is also used in flavourings.
A sweet white wine made from muscat grapes, or the variety of grape itself.
Muscat is usually specialist/formal. common in viticulture, oenology, gourmet food/drink contexts, and descriptive menus. in register.
Muscat: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌskət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈməskət/ or /ˈmʌskæt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific. The term is primarily technical.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MUSCAT: MUSically Sweet CAtalytic Taste (for the grape's famously sweet and aromatic flavour).
Conceptual Metaphor
SWEETNESS IS A FRAGRANT FRUIT (The wine's sweetness is conceptualised through the intense aroma of the grape).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a wine described as 'muscat'?