48188 Thu Aug 09 12:07:21 -0700 2001 4 2 Los Angeles Area 0 240094 Since Corby Kummer waxed rapturous about the muscat grapes offered him during a trip to Napa, I've longed to try the grapes used to make that glorious dessert wine, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise. Yesterday I came upon muscat grapes being sold at a stand set halfway between 2nd and 3rd Streets on Arizona at the Santa Monica farmers market. The garrulous and friendly farmer informed me that demand for these divine grapes has faltered and that once informed that they contain seeds potential buyers turn toward the far less aromatic and less sweet flame red grapes. She has been reduced to planting only a single row of muscat vines. The grapes are pale green, small and spherical, and often grow so close together that a bunch is a nearly solid, almost medullar mass. They were sold for $1.50 per pound, which is fairly cheap for grapes of any sort at farmers market, and will be available next week. The sign identified them as "muscatel." A Los Angeles Times writer may write a story on the grapes and the farmer, possibly in next week's food supplement. Thu Aug 09 12:07:21 -0700 2001 0 Samo 1 240103 Do you suppose these are the grapes known in the south as muscadines? My wife used to pick wild muscadines as a kid, and I know she would flip if I could come into some for her. Thu Aug 09 16:08:00 -0700 2001 240094 0 chris o 2 240108 Sorry, Chris, but to judge from the website to which I've appended a link, muscat and muscadine are two very different grapes. Link: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8203.html Thu Aug 09 18:35:22 -0700 2001 240103 0 Samo 3 240112 rats. Thu Aug 09 19:20:05 -0700 2001 240108 0 chris o 1 240110 For a twist on the muscat flavor thing...Kasugai muscat gummy candy, made with fruit juice, is great. Thu Aug 09 19:06:08 -0700 2001 240094 0 Caitlin McGrath