Wine Facts: Moscato - What is it?
Angelica Nohra
Wine Importer | Wine List Consultant | Speaker
We can pretend we don't like it but when we smell the beautiful perfume of Moscato, anyone's mouth begins to water. Moscato is the Italian name for Muscat Blanc, one of the oldest grapes in the world.Â
Moscato has flavours of lemon, honeysuckle, pear, orange blossom and mandarin. It's so aromatic.Â
There are also different styles of Moscato. There is bubbly moscato, Still Moscato, Pink Moscato, Black Muscato and Dessert Muscat. The Moscato most people drink today, usually when they are just starting to enjoy wine, is Moscato from Piedmonte or "Moscato d’Asti". It is light-bodied and sweet, with tropical fruit flavors, light bubbles (the Italians call this frizzante (slightly sparkling) and low alcohol at around 5.5%. If you have ever seen me at food and wine shows, you have probably heard me say "drinking the whole bottle is like one beer! You can drive home after!"
Thankfully, no one has taken my advice.Â
Moscato d'Asti is important to note because even though it is sweet, it has high acidity so it doesn't taste sickly or "flabby" in the mouth. It makes your mouth water to get you ready for the next sip. It's a little too drinkable. There are a lot of cheap sparkling moscato's out there that don't have the right amount of acid and the wine is just way too sweet. Stick to Moscato d'Asti. It's definitely a winner.Â
I also highly recommend people try still Moscatos...they are fermented to dry and go really well with all types of food, particularly cheese. They are still aromatic so they trick your brain to make you think they will be sweet but you get a lovely surprise when you give them a sip.Â
The fact is, whether you think you don't like sweet drinks or not, Moscato is delicious on a hot summers day sitting by the pool or as a pre or after dinner aperitif. It's always worth having a couple of bottles stored away for a dinner party or afternoon bbq....or heck, if you are really keen, it's a great breakfast/brunch wine!Â
Move over Mimosas...Moscato is here!Â
You definitely need to give the Sensi Collezione Moscato d'Asti DOCG a try!!Â
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The BEST Moscato on the planet!
Sensi "Collezione" Moscato D'Asti DOCGÂ
This wine has been produced in the Monferrato and in the Langs since the 13th Century. The cultivation of the Moscato vineyards is very ancient. To be served in small sparkling wine chalices at a temperature of 8-10C. Best served a year after bottling to maintain the fragrance of the fruit. It is well accompanied by baked cakes and leavened cakes that are not dense (e.g. Fruit Cake).
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