An overview on Moscatel de Setúbal fortified wine

Moscatel de Setúbal is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) wine produced in Península de Setúbal wine region, being one of the four Portuguese fortified wines recognized as “Generosos”. This wine has unique chemical and sensory characteristics due to the grape variety (‘Moscatel de Setúbal’, Vitis vinifera L.) used in its production, the winemaking process characterised by a long period of maceration of skins and grape berry seeds, and the oxidative ageing. According to the legislation, it must be submitted to a minimum ageing period, traditionally performed in wooden barrels, which plays a crucial role in the increase of its sensory quality. Although highly appreciated and recognized by its quality, scientific knowledge on this wine is still very scarce and limited to the general physicochemical and phenolic composition. This literature review aims to gather the available information about this fortified wine, providing a better understanding on the distinctive profile of Moscatel de Setúbal, and to lay out paths for future. It must be noted that Moscatel de Setúbal Roxo wine made with this grape variety also shares the PDO, but because of its rarity and small produced quantities it is not addressed in this work.