Black Muscat and Brown Muscat are each descendants of Muscat of Alexandria.  The origins are unclear but date back to Egyptian times.  Pliny the Elder wrote about a muscat like grape that was very attractive to bees, but it is unclear if it is the same grape or family of grapes.  There are at least 200 mutations and crosses of Muscat but the number is probably closer to 600.  Muscat of Alexandria is a crossing of Muscat Blanc a Petite Grains (white grape) and Axina de tres Bias (a black grape from Greece).  Most varieties share commonalities of low alcohol, light body, low acidity, and grapey musky aromas whose character isn’t influenced by wine making techniques.  Both Brown and Black Muscat varieties can handle Mediterranean climates.   Black Muscat is grown throughout Europe and commonly known as Muscat Hamburg from the cross of Muscat of Alexandria and Schiava Grossa (a German or Italian cross).