Here’s the question, what is Moscato wine?
The sweet flavors of peaches and orange blossom make Moscato wine famous. The word Moscato (“moe-ska-toe”) is the Muscat Blanc is known by its Italian name; it is one of the oldest wine grape varieties. In order to learn more about this intriguing wine.
The muscat grape has been around for thousands of years, and encompasses a range of over 200 different types of the varietal belonging to the Vitis Vinifera species. It’s a species that is well known for both raisins and table grapes (think fortified wine). There are numerous muscat varieties.
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Table of Contents
What Is Moscato Wine?
Moscato is a sweet Italian wine with fruity undertones that is pronounciated mo-ska-toh. This white wine, which is made from the Muscat grape, is typically regarded as a dessert wine with a hint of fizz. The typical alcohol content of moscato is around 5-7%, though there can be some variation between the various varieties. For comparison, the average red wine has an alcohol content of 10-12% ABV. Moscato has a low alcohol content, making it a great dessert beverage for on-the-go consumption or the ideal addition to a brunch spritzer that won’t ruin your entire day.
Is Moscato Wine Sweet Or Dry?
Although Moscato is regarded as a sweeter wine, how it is made depends on the winemaker and the type of wine they want to make. Generally speaking, it has less acidity and a little sweetness from the higher levels of residual sugar.
The widely consumed Moscato di Asti wine style, also referred to as frizzante locally, is typically sweet and lightly sparkling. This well-liked fashion originates in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, specifically from the Asti region. Mandarin, ripe pear, orange blossom, and honeysuckle flavors can be tasted in these wines, which also have a lovely aroma.
In addition to Turkish delight and wild strawberries on the nose, other moscatos have floral notes, rose petal and rose water flavors. Yum!
Since moscatos have a lower alcohol content (around 5-6%), compared to white wine, which has a much higher alcohol content of 12%, they are very popular. It is frequently produced with a fine bubble and bead and a lighter body. Moscato is a common ingredient in many cocktails as well.
Moscato’s Origin
It is worthwhile learning a little bit about the humble Muscat grape, the heart of Moscato, before we get into what characteristics to look for in a Moscato.
Yes, the exact same grape is used to make many fortified wines! The name Muscat is believed to been derived from the Latin muscus and relates to the perfumed aroma of musk (originally sourced from the male musk deer). A unique fact is that Muscat is one of only a few grapes whose aroma on the vine matches that in the glass.
The Muscat grape is believed to have originated in Greece or the Middle East, possibly even Ancient Egypt, and was later brought to Italy and France by the Romans before spreading all over the world. Moscato’s traditional birthplace is Asti in the Piedmont region of Italy, where it has been produced since the early 13th century. As a result, it may be the oldest grape variety still in widespread cultivation.
The Muscat grape has undergone numerous mutations as a result of its long history and widespread distribution, and today there are over 200 different varieties, which is an amazing number and significantly more than that of any other grape variety.
Is Moscato Wine Or Champagne?
Does the fact that my Moscato has bubbles make it Champagne?
No, Moscato is not Champagne, though some varieties do have lovely bubbles that resemble the well-known French drink. The Muscat grape is used to make Moscato, which is frequently produced as a still wine in addition to the popular frizzante style. Meanwhile, only in the renowned “Champagne region” of northern France is Champagne produced using the three main grape varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
What Does Moscato Taste Like?
Moscato is a wine that is excellent for the nose. “According to Gary, the aroma is typically musky, but it can occasionally be dusty as well. The sweetness can range from slightly dry to completely sweet, and it can be still, frizzante, or bubbly. “All are appropriate examples of the variety.”
So, in response to the question “Is Moscato sweet or dry?’, you’ll find that while there are some slightly dry styles, Due to the high levels of residual sugars that are kept in the wine during the winemaking process, Moscato typically falls toward the sweeter end of the spectrum.
Another factor contributing to Moscato’s popularity is the fact that it typically contains less alcohol than white wine (around 5-6% as opposed to 12% in white wine). It is frequently produced with a fine bubble and bead and a lighter body. Additionally, Moscato is a common ingredient in many cocktails.
A good Moscato should have a long length, good balance, and acidity, according to Gary, when it comes to flavor. “It shouldn’t be hard or coarse in any way, nor should it be cloying to the palate.”
Frangipani, grapes, nectarine, guava, and lychee are among the expected notes. There is no need to cellar it because it is made to be drunk right away.
Moscato Wine Styles
The muscat grape has been around for thousands of years.) and thus, you can find it growing throughout the world. France, Italy, Austria, Greece, Israel, and even Australia produce wines with muscat as a primary ingredient. Every area has its own distinct style. The most popular Moscato varieties are listed below:
Sparkling And Semi-sparkling Moscato
The Italian wines of Moscato d’Asti (semi-sparkling) and Asti Spumante (sparkling) are the classic examples, but you’ll discover wines labeled “Moscato” are typically made in this style. Both of the Italian versions are classified with Italy’s highest DOCG designation, giving them protected guarantees of origin similar to Parmigiano-Reggiano. The best wines are intensely aromatic, sweet, and have a clean, minerally finish. They are also perfectly balanced with zingy acidity and bubbles. This wine might be ideal for a pool party.
Asti Spumante
The Muscat Blanc grape’s equivalent of champagne is Asti Spumante, a fully sparkling version of Moscato also known as Asti.
Still Moscato
Other Muscat grape varieties, such as Muscat of Alexandria, as well as Muscat Blanc are used to make still (as opposed to sparkling) versions of Moscato. Moscatel from Spain and Muskateller from Austria are two wines to try. Although wines are frequently dry to the palate, your brain tricks you into thinking they are sweet because of their sweet and fruity aromatics. They’re fantastic, especially if you’re watching your carb intake.
Pink Moscato
Even though it can be tasty, pink Moscato is more of a marketing gimmick than a traditional Moscato wine style. The majority of the grapes used to make this wine are Muscat, though Merlot is frequently added to give it a ruby-pink hue. Think of the traditional flavors of Moscato with a hint of strawberry. Consider checking out Brachetto d’Acqui if you enjoy pink Moscato.
Red Moscato (aka Black Muscat)
Black Muscat is a grape variety that is uncommon but exists. Think of raspberry, rose petals, and violets with a touch of roasted assam black tea. The grape is a hybrid of Muscat of Alexandria and Schiava, an extremely rare red grape from Italy. It’s worth checking out the Black Muscat producers in the United States.
Moscato Dessert Wines
The dessert wines are sweeter than Moscato d’Asti. There are many things to try: French Muscat de Rivesaltes and Muscat de Beaumes de Venise; southern Spain’s unique Moscatel Sherry; southern Portugal’s Moscatel de Setúbal; Greece’s Muscat of Samos, which is available in a variety of sweet styles; Sicily, where Muscat grapes are frequently partially dried to concentrate the sweetness; and Australia’s Rutherglen Muscat, which is one of the sweetest varieties in the world and so sweet. See more about What Is Kiwi Wine?
What Foods Pair The Best With Moscato?
The secret to pairing any wine with food is balance. Moscato has a sweet flavor, so the best foods to eat with it are spicy, sour, salty, and bitter. Moscato is excellent with appetizers, sweet brunch dishes, dessert, and by itself as an aperitif, despite the fact that its sweet fruity essence can make it difficult to pair with a main course.
Spicy food: Moscato calms the heat of spicy food from all over the world thanks to its sweetness and low alcohol content (wine with a higher alcohol content tends to amp up spiciness). Moscato goes well with dishes that contain mouth-tingling Sichuan peppercorns, such as Thai larb, Indian vindaloo curries, habanero-spiked chicken wings, or Thai food.
Cured meats: You name it: prosciutto, salami, jamón ibérico. The sweetness of Moscato is countered by its high salt content.
Nuts and seeds: It’s that salty-sweet element once more. A glass of still Moscato goes well with nuts like peanuts, almonds, or pepitas.
Crudités: A platter of crunchy vegetables, such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, and radishes, would go well with the Moscato d’Asti’s soft bubbles.
Spices: The spiciness of the foods that sweet Moscato pairs so well with it frequently includes aromatic spices like cardamom, ginger, saffron, turmeric, and others.
Soft or flavorful cheeses The bright fruit profile of Moscato is not overpowered by the soft, creamy Brie and Camembert. On the other hand, a wine like Moscato is needed to counteract the saltiness of strong blue cheese. Both Passito di Pantelleria and Moscato d’Asti pair nicely. The flavor profile of your cheese will be maximized if you allow it to reach room temperature.
Sweet breakfasts: Think of pancakes or waffles with fruit compote or whipped cream on top. These flavors are brought to life by a fruity Moscato.
Fruit desserts: Any dessert containing fruit or berries complements the Moscato wine’s inherent fruitiness, including pies, cobblers, and semifreddo.
Vanilla desserts: A crème brulee, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even rice pudding taste delicious when paired with sweet peach Moscato.
Cake: We adore this pairing, where Moscato d’Asti brings out the best in chocolate cake and Moscato Rosa (or Red Moscato, if that’s easier to find) brings out the best in vanilla cake.
Tailor Made For Dessert Pairings
Yes, sweet and sparkling Moscato is fantastic on its own, but pairing it with tasty bites can be challenging due to its distinctive aroma. Moscato definitely won’t hold its own against a large steak, but it really shines when paired with dessert.
Moscato wines typically go great with foods that have similar fruit flavors. To experience the flavor of fruit on fruit, serve this wine with a warm berry pie, peach, or nectarine tart. Also, nuttier flavors complement it well. Nectarine and citrus flavors from the wine’s flavor profile contrast beautifully with the subdued flavors of a buttery almond pastry.
Opt for a cheese plate as another fantastic alternative. The classic pairing of wine and cheese is always a hit, but you should choose mild, fresh cheeses rather than ones that are aggressively sharp and pungent. A crescenza or a gorgonzola will be your best bet. The ideal party platter to serve alongside Moscato can be finished off with some fresh figs, grapes, nuts, or whatever else sounds good.
We can help if you’re looking for something a little less conventional than a dessert pairing. Unbelievably, there are some dinner dishes that pair particularly well with moscato.
Foods from China, Thailand, and Vietnam pair excellently with Moscatos. The high aromatic content of these regional dishes counterbalances the natural sweetness of Moscato, and because of the wine’s low alcohol content, it can be substituted for the lighter lagers that are typically served with spicier dishes. An added bonus is that Moscato’s sweetness is the ideal complement to a dish’s spice, such as ginger, cinnamon, and hot chili peppers.
Like other white wines, Moscato goes best with lighter proteins like chicken or fish at the dinner table. Even though chicken is a surefire option, you can also try serving your wine with rich barbecued pork or marinated tofu.
Moscato FAQs
Are you curious to know more about Moscato? Check out these frequently asked questions to see if we have the answers to your queries.
Is Champagne Or Wine Moscato?
The wine variety known as moscato undoubtedly exists. Moscato does, however, have a few characteristics in common with Champagne and some varieties are sparkling, such as:
- A lower alcohol content
- Generally white, but can have rosé and blush options
- Light, sweet flavors
Champagne and Moscato differ primarily in how they are carbonated and fermented. While Moscato is fermented with carbon dioxide, leaving some carbonation behind, Champagne is carbonated through a secondary fermentation process.
What Sort Of Wine Is Moscato?
It’s not surprising that Moscato is a dessert wine because this light, sweet wine frequently pairs with sweets. Although there isn’t a single definition for “dessert wine,” wines that fall into this category typically have sweeter, more pronounced flavors that go well with fruit and sweets. Additionally, they frequently have more sugar left over after the fermentation process, which increases their sweetness.
There aren’t many dessert wines with a flavor profile like Moscato’s due to its mild carbonation. However, if you’re looking to diversify your selection, think about a Prosecco or a sparkling Riesling.
Is Moscato A Cheap Wine?
Since Moscato is a very approachable wine, adding it to your regular wine collection won’t break the bank. The majority of bottles are priced well below triple digits, allowing you to splurge on enough to please all of your family and friends.
While some may view “cheap” wine as being of lower quality, in this instance, it simply means that it is simple to drink and share. People from all walks of life have discovered something they like in Moscato over the past few years, and it has developed quite a following. Moscato is a great option if you prefer a light, sweet beverage to complement your dinner and help you wind down for the evening.
You can always use a bottle—or several—to please the crowd, whether you’re having a dinner party or going on a picnic with friends. — of Moscato at your side.
Is Moscato Wine Sweet Or Dry?
Moscato is undoubtedly a sweet wine because it is a dessert wine. Other well-liked sweet wines are Tokajis and Zinfandels. Depending on the winemaker’s preferences, the wine’s exact sweetness will vary, but typically sweet wines have more residual sugar than dry wines. Most winemakers stop the fermentation process earlier with Moscato than with other blends, which produces a crisp, sweet finish. This is done to achieve the sweetness that is Moscato’s signature.
The End
Moscato is much more versatile and complex than most people realize, and it can be enjoyed as a dessert wine or as an aperitif. Italy has a large variety of flavors and styles because Moscato grapes, also known as Muscat, are grown there. Any wine lover’s collection should include Moscato, which comes in a variety of flavors from bubbly to still to fortified.
Muscat grows in wine regions all over the world despite its Italian origin. It is adaptable and can be grown in most climates, flourishing in France, Spain, and Italy. Of course, it has experienced a significant resurgence as a fashion over the past few years in Australia.
