Muscat Précoce de Saumur

The white grape variety originates from France. Synonyms include Blanc Précoce Musqué de Courtiller, Courtill(i)er Musqué, Courtiller Musqué Précoce, Madeleine Musqué de Courtillier, Muscat Courtill(i)er, Muscat de Saumur, Précoce Blanc Musqué de Courtiller, Précoce de Courtiller, Précoce de Saumur, Précoce Musqué, and Prekos de Kurtile. It was selected in 1842 in Saumur (Loire) by Auguste Courtiller (1795-1875) from open-pollinated seedlings of the Pinot Précoce Noir variety (Frühburgunder) (breeder's information). However, according to DNA analyses conducted in 2013, it likely originates from a natural cross between Pinot (exact variety unknown) x Muscat Blanc. This is based on only 17 DNA markers (see Molecular Genetics). The breeder Christian Oberlin (1831-1915) from Colmar-Elsass, among others, used it for many further new cultivars due to its early ripening property. In the breeding lists, the current main name was not indicated, but rather Courtiller Musqué Précoce, Muscat Courtiller, or similar. These included Aromriesling, Frühmuskat, Frühriesling, and Huxelrebe. The vine is used as a table grape. In 2016, no stock was reported (Kym Anderson). Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)