Syrah The Syrah-dominated appellations (AOCs) of northern Rhône have, like most other French appellations and regions, no tradition of varietal labeling of their wines. Indeed, such practices are generally disallowed under AOC rules, and only the AOC name (such as Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage or Hermitage) appears on the label. Varietal labeling of Syrah/Shiraz wines is therefore a practice that has emerged in the New World, primarily in Australia. To confuse matters, in northern Rhône, different clones of genuine Syrah are referred to as "Petite Syrah" (small Syrah) or "Gros Syrah" (large Syrah) depending on the size of their berries, with "Petite Syrah"
Muscat (grape) "Vitis vinifera" grape variety are descended from the Muscat variety. Among the most notable members of the Muscat family are "Muscat blanc à Petits Grains", which is the primary grape variety used in the production of the Italian sparkling wine "Asti" (also known as "Moscato Asti") made in the Piedmont region. It is also used in the production of many of the French fortified wines known as "vin doux naturels". In Australia, this is also the main grape used in the production of "Liqueur Muscat", from the Victorian wine region of Rutherglen. Young, unaged and unfortified examples of "Muscat blanc"