This episode explores main muscat wine grape varieties, the many wine styles, a little history, and terminology … all to help you fall in love with new styles of wine - and other beverages - made with this ancient grape that is still very much loved around the world. Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Resources from this episode:

Books:

Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viticulture (Princeton Science Library Book 76) [Kindle Version], McGovern, P. (2003)

Grapes and Wines: A comprehensive guide to varieties and flavours, Clarke, O. and Rand, M. (2010)

The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023)

Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013)

Websites:

Italian Wine Central: Moscato https://italianwinecentral.com/variety/moscato/

Muscat Wines: Muscat Wines of the United States https://www.muscat-wines.com/muscat-wines/muscat-wines-of-the-united-states/

Vinopedia: Muscat https://vinopedia.org/wiki/Muscat

Vins Alsace: Fresh & Dry Muscat d'Alsace https://www.vinsalsace.com/en/gouts-et-couleurs/cepages/frais-et-secs/muscat-dalsace/

Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode:

S1E6: Doing the Diois - Clairette de Die Sparkling Wine https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s1e6-doing-the-diois-clairette-de-die-sparkling-wine

S3E1: Asti DOCG - Bubbles in the New Year, Decade, and Season! https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e1-asti-docg-bubbles-in-the-new-year-decade-and-season

S3E4: Wine from Dried Grapes https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e4-wine-from-dried-grapes

S6E2: A Pisco Party! https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s6e2-a-pisco-party

S6E3: A Sweet, Sticky Story - Rutherglen Fortified Wines https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s6e3-a-sweet-sticky-story-rurtherglen-fortified-wines

S14E4: Constantia - The wine, the place, the history, and juicy bits https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/constantia-the-wine-the-place-the-history-and-juicy-bits-s14e4

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music: "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

In addition to this re-release of "Whisky, Burns Night, and … Beerhenge?" (Originally Released Jan 28, 2022 ) I give a new, quick introduction to Burns night before treating you to this episode on whisky, in which I discuss: what it is, a little history, how it's produced, distinguishing the styles, and a little silliness (because your host cannot help herself).

Just the thing for a cold, January in the northern hemisphere on this weird third rock from the sun.

Resources from this episode:

Books:

Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide, Society of Wine Educators, Nickles, J. (2020)

The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails [Kindle Edition], Wondrich, D & Rothbaum, N., (2022)

Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide, Jackson, M. (2005)

The World Atlas of Whisky [2nd Edition], Broom, D. (2014)

Websites:

Difford's Guide: On this Day - 25 January, Sutcliffe, T. & Difford, S., (2020) https://www.diffordsguide.com/on-this-day/january/25

Independent: How to Address you Haggis in Honor of the Great, According to Robert Burns, Sommerlad, J. (25 January 2022) https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/address-to-the-haggis-burns-night-b2000134.html

Merriam Webster: Auld lang syne: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auld%20lang%20syne

Scotch Whisky: Famous Whisky Drinkers - Robert Burns, Smith, G.D., (25 January 2016) https://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/famous-whisky-drinkers/8261/famous-whisky-drinkers-robert-burns/

Some of Val's Favorite Whisky Personalities:

Whiskycast: Cask Strength Conversation, by Mark Gillespie - https://whiskycast.com/

The Unwritable Rant: Bourbon-Soaked Stories, by Juliette Miranda - https://theunwritablerant.com/

Related Topics by Glass in Session®:

S7E3: Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 1 - Champagne & Whiskey - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/glassinsession/id/19435472

S4E6: Got Wood? Talkin' bout Oak - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/glassinsession/id/15334700

S4E5: Roll out the (Bourbon) Barrel ... and put Wine in it? - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/glassinsession/id/15148409

S13E5: Bourbon: The Distinctly American Spirit https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/bourbon-the-distinctly-american-spirit

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music: "Write Your Story" by Joystock

Bourbon Segment: "Fife and Drum" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

This episode explores the pink mutation of the Chardonnay grape, and why it's now in the pantheon of Champagne's primary grape varieties.

Resources from this episode:

Books:

The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023)

Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013)

Websites:

Champagne Education [Comité Champange]: Chardonnay Rose (9 January 2026) https://www.champagne.education/en/chardonnay-rose-champagne

Comité Champagne: Grape Varieties https://www.champagne.fr/en/about-champagne/a-great-blended-wine/champagne-and-its-grape-varieties

Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Agro-Alimentaire, et de la Souveraineté Alimentaire: Bulletin Officiel - Cahier des Charges du 07-08-2025 [Cahier des charges de l'appellation d'origine contrôlée "Champagne" homologué par l'arrêté du 31 juillet 2025 (AGRT2518163A)] https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-677d59b2-d392-4220-9fa3-e65dbc723244

PIWI International: The "Voltis" grape variety has been approved for the production of Champagne AOC, Rebsorten & Züchtung (21 February 2022) https://piwi-international.org/en/2022/02/grape-variety-voltis-was-released-for-the-production-of-champagne-aoc/

Wine Business: Pink Chardonnay, a Forgotten Grape Variety that is Regaining its Place in Champagnes Heritage (20 October 2025) https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/309480

Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode:

S3E3: Wine Caves - Dishing the Dirt https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e3-wine-caves-dishing-the-dirt

S15E2: Champagne Part 2 - Grape to Glass https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/champagne-part-2-grape-to-glass

S16E3: Belgian Wines (updated) and PIWI Grapes (re-release) https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/belgian-wines-updated-and-piwi-grapes-s16e3-re-release

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music:

"Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)