Moscatel (moss-ca-TELL)

The general name used in Spain and parts of Portugal for both muscat blanc a petits grains or muscat of Alexandria. In Jerez, moscatel bianco (muscat of Alexandria) is the third most important grape after palomino and pedro ximenez, and there, it is made into a sweet, fortified wine that is sometimes made by the solera system of fractional blending that is used to make Sherry. Also made into intriguing, dry, aromatic still wines (both alone and as part of a blend) in several other parts of Spain.