Cultivated for hundreds of years in the Piedmont DOCG in Italy, Moscato bianco is considered one of the oldest grapes grown in that area. Although Moscato has been cultivated and made in the area, modern production of Moscato d’Asti as it is known now began in the 1870s. Made in the frizzante style, Moscato d'Asti was the wine that winemakers made for themselves. This low-alcohol wine could be drunk at noontime meals and would not slow down the winemaker or his workers. After the workday was done, the Piemontese tradition of long, multicourse evening meals gave Moscato d'Asti the purpose of a digestif that cleansed the palate and stimulated the palate for dessert. [2] Winemaking [ edit ] A pink Moscato d'Asti made in the rosé style. Moscato d’Asti is a sweet sparkling wine without autolytic properties so it doesn’t detract from the fruitiness of Muscat. Serve it as an aperitif or as a palate cleanser after dinner. Or sip it poolside when the sun is high in the sky. The Asti Method Moscato d'Asti is a DOCG sparkling white wine made from the Moscato bianco grape and produced mainly in the province of Asti, northwest Italy, and in smaller nearby regions in the provinces of Alessandria and Cuneo. The wine is sweet and low in alcohol, and is considered a dessert wine. A related wine, Asti, is produced in the same area from the same grape. Both wines are subject to the same controls and DOCG status, which increases the quality and protects the product – so do try out both for your next Sunday lunch! The best Moscato d’Asti wines A sparkling wine, Asti Spumante DOCG has an internal pressure of up to 5 bars, and an alcohol level of 6-9%, slightly higher than Moscato d’Asti. During its production, a lower level of residual sugar (or post-fermentation sugar) is left in Asti Spumante, making the bubbly Asti wine less sweet when compared to Moscato d’Asti.

Moscato d’Asti is ideal to drink with strong cheeses. Creamy Camembert, Gorgonzola, Mascarpone, and Brie counterbalance the wine’s vibrant fruit-forward profile. At the same time, veined blue cheeses with pronounced flavors, like Murianengo or Gorgonzola, pair well with Moscato d’Asti. The sweetness of the Moscato offsets the saltiness of the blue cheeses, offering a marvelous food pairing. How Much Alcohol Does Moscato d’Asti Have? Similarly, in Greek, Muscat is translated as ‘moskos’ meaning a sweet-smelling aroma, Latin ‘muscus’ (moss), and French ‘musc’ (an intense smell). In Italy, there is the Italian word ‘mosca’ that means fly. It could be related to Muscat because the Muscat grapes have a sweet aroma and very high sugar levels, so they attract fruit flies. Moscato d’Asti is a sweet sparkling wine with low alcohol levels from Piedmont (Piemonte) in northwestern Italy. The wine, as implied by its name, is made from Muscat grapes cultivated in Asti. Moscato d’Asti is one of the most famous wines of Italy. An interesting note about this wine is that it is almost exclusively produced in small wineries and comes in a limited number of batches. The variety is characterized by small grains that ripen early and need continuous care, which only adds to the exclusivity of Moscato d’Asti. The same grape is used for the production of various other wine styles: dry and light, sweet and sparking, or rich dessert wines with honey flavors.

The aromatic Riesling wine has a delightful aroma of orchard fruits such as pears and apricots, golden colour apples and nectarines, with a hint of jasmine. It is high in acidity, and the only wine in this list without the sparkling character. If you enjoy Moscato d’Asti but are looking a wine that isn’t sparkling, this is the wine for the occasion. Just like Moscato d’Asti, it suits equally well as an accompaniment to spicy dishes. One of the top DOCG classification in Italy, Moscato d’Asti wine is produced in the northwest region of Piedmont ( Piemonte in Italian) : primarily from the province of Asti, but also from the smaller provinces of Cuneo and Alessandria. It is the most popular of Moscato wines, and some even consider it the definition of Moscato – even though it is only produced in Italy. However, many different types of Moscato exist, including Moscato Rosa, Muscat Ottonel and Moscatel de Setúbal. The Moscato d’Asti characteristics concentrate around a gentle fizziness and a subtle, pleasant semi-sweetness. On top of that, Moscato d’Asti displays pronounced floral fragrances and notes of stone fruit and grape juice, as well as a creamy finish with lingering passion fruit sensations.

The Elvio Tintero winery produces this fruity delicacy, which immediately gives off an aroma of ripe apricot and peach. The fruitiest ones of our examples, Sori Gramella is a great accompaniment to cheeses, fruits and tarts, giving a pleasant and cheerful atmosphere to the end of the evening or picnic by the lakes. Moscato d’Asti Pairings Moscato d’Asti Vendemmia Tardiva: A rare late-harvest style of Moscato d’Asti with higher alcohol and sugar content (a minimum of 11% ABV). As a sweet wine, Moscato d’Asti has a high-calorie density. The carbs in Moscato d’Asti are 13.5 per glass, while the calories are 110 to 120 per serving. The amount of residual sugar is a matter of concern for wine enthusiasts on a diet, though. Moscato d’Asti has 14 grams of sugar per serving. That needs consideration by wine fans with a low-sugar lifestyle. ConclusionBecause of its sparkling style and low alcohol levels, Piedmont winemakers used to make Moscato d’Asti only for their own enjoyment – the low levels of alcohol allowed the wine to be drunk at lunch time without interfering with the winemaking in the afternoon! Later, the special Piedmontese tradition of long dinners brought Moscato d’Asti popularity both as an aperitif and digestif drink to cleanse and stimulate the palate with its high acidity. The wine is best served chilled, no question. The perfect temperature to serve Moscato d’Asti is at 45 to 55°F (7-10°C). When chilled, the sparkler gets even more refreshing and aromatic, as the pronounced mellowness is gentler on the tongue, without being overbearing. In addition, by far, the ideal glassware for Moscato d’Asti is flute glass. Wine experts suggest that the glass shape enhances the aromatic fragrances of the Moscato d’Asti and encourages the flow of the racy bubbles. The flute is also tall, easy-to-hold, and thin, radiating elegance and pure sophistication. Flawless! For the most part, Moscato d’Asti is semi-sweet and prized for its lightness and freshness. That means that it can be enjoyed at mealtime or even complement a dinner. According to tradition, Moscato d’Asti is drunk just before dessert as a palate cleanser. Due to its affordability, this wine is the choice of younger drinkers, although it is the preferred sparkler of celebrities and famous people, as well. What Does Moscato d’Asti Taste Like? Moscato d’Asti is not the only wine made out of the Moscato bianco grape in Piedmont: the region produces some of the finest wines of this grape variety under the name Asti DOCG. The two most iconic wines under this name are Asti Spumante (often called just Asti, or foaming Asti) and Moscato d’Asti (fizzy Asti). They both impart an impressive aroma, but use different vinification methods. Both wines are reminiscent of the finer pleasures in life – full of aroma and sweetness, and featuring a wonderful fresh floral taste, they are ideal to enjoy on their own or served with cheese or desserts.

As to d’Asti, it is composed of two separate words. The first is di, and the second is Asti. But when together, they make a continuous word. To pronounce d’Asti, emphasize the first syllable: Asti DOCG, which includes two “bubbles" made from Moscato grapes, lies around the Belbo River, to the north of the Bormida River. Its soil is mainly chalky marl and limestones, but its composition can vary from area to area: the northern part of Monferrato - misleadingly called Basso (or “Low") Monferrato - is richer in limestone, clay and gravel, while the southern part ( Alto (or “High") Monferrato) contains more minerals, which makes it suitable for growing cereals and vegetables, also.Strevi DOC: Another unique sweeter style made with partially dried grapes in a technique called “passito.” This wine is rich and sweet!