Grape variety · Sweet

Muscadel

Past Ashton the R62 squeezes through the Cogmanskloof, a short tunnel through the Kalkoenkrans, and then Montagu lies ahead. The town has a festival tradition built around a sweet wine.

The Montagu Muscadel Festival grew out of a first Wine and Community Festival in 1954 and has traditionally been held in May; ask the tourism office in Montagu for the next date. In South Africa, Muscadel is a fortified wine: brandy or spirit is added until it reaches 15 to 22 per cent alcohol. The grape behind it is Muscat Blanc or Muscat Rouge, also known as Muscat à petits grains or Muscat de Frontignan. The red form is a mutation with red berries.

share of Muscat Blanc in the vineyard area, SAWIS, as of 31 December 2025
0.9%
of Muscat Blanc nationwide
763 ha
of those in the Robertson Valley
about 436 ha
alcohol in South African fortified wine
15 to 22%

According to WOSA, the Robertson Valley was originally known for distinctive fortified dessert wines. And that is where most of the vines are: of the 763 hectares of Muscat Blanc in the country, 0.9 per cent of the vineyard area, SAWIS puts around 436 hectares in Robertson (as of the end of 2025). WOSA says red and white Muscadel grow mainly in the Breede River region and links the grape to the historic sweet wines of Constantia. Do not confuse Muscadel with Hanepoot: that is Muscat d'Alexandrie, a separate grape with 1,213 hectares.

At Viljoensdrift on the Breede, the family's ancestors already made Hanepoot and Muscadel and fortified them with raw spirit. In wine-law terms, Montagu is not part of the Breede River Valley but a ward of the Klein Karoo region. The Montagu Winery sells Red Muscadel and Muscat de Frontignan there.

Our tipLabels from Montagu sometimes say Muscat de Frontignan; it is the same grape as Muscadel. Hanepoot, on the other hand, is a different variety.

Muscadel to order

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Muscadel: frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Muscadel and Hanepoot?

In South Africa, Muscadel is made from Muscat Blanc or Muscat Rouge, also called Muscat à petits grains. Hanepoot is Muscat d'Alexandrie, a different grape.

How strong is Muscadel?

Muscadel is a South African fortified wine. Brandy or spirit is added to bring it to 15 to 22 per cent alcohol.

Where does South Africa grow the most Muscadel?

Of the 763 hectares of Muscat Blanc in South Africa, around 436 hectares are in the Robertson Valley (SAWIS, as of 31 December 2025). Wines of South Africa names the Breede River region as the main area for red and white Muscadel.