Languedoc's wine agency is attempting to promote Muscat in the UK by matching it with a range of oriental dishes.

A special tasting took place at Cocoon restaurant on London's Regent Street on Wednesday, organised by Languedoc umbrella wine body CIVL.

An array Muscat wines were paired off with dishes ranging from duck confit, including watermelon, spiced cashew nuts and soy dressing, to sesame prawn toast and also chocolate dessert.

"It's a very unusual combination and it was not easy to do, but it works very well," said Christine Molines, export manager for CIVL. She said spices and flavours in oriental food sat well with the freshness of Muscat.

Around 90 per cent of French Muscat is still sold on the domestic market. Molines said that if tastings such as Wednesday's were successful then the CIVL might consider a higher profile publicity campaign in the UK.

"Muscat is a wine that has to be explained. We find that when people try Muscat they love it, but either they can't find it in the shops or they're a bit shy about how to drink it."