We all have that friend who is sweet, bubbly, and super easy to get along with. They’re the one that you want around for a good time. In the world of wine, Moscato is this friend. Moscato is a sweet variety in the world of wines that has gained considerable popularity over the past few years. With a low alcohol content, slight fizziness, and a pleasantly sweet taste, it’s no wonder that this wine has acquired quite the following.

History

The Moscato grape is one of the oldest species of grape in the world and varies in color from light yellow to a dark, almost black purple. Some varieties are used as table grapes and are the same grapes that are used to make raisins. The most popular varieties of Moscato grapes used to make this sweet wine are the Muscat Blanc á Petits Grains and the Muscat of Alexandria. Moscato grapes are grown throughout Italy, however, the region where they reign supreme is in the Northwest region of Piedmont. 

Moscato is the Italian name of Muscat blanc, another name for this historic grape. 

Is Moscato a Varietal or a Blend?

Moscato is a varietal wine that comes primarily from Italy, so most bottles that you find will be made exclusively with one type of Moscato grape, such as the muscat blanc. The one exception to this rule is pink Moscato. To achieve the bright, pink color, white Moscato is mixed with a touch of Merlot.

How to Serve Moscato

Your sweet, bubbly friend is best served chilled in a white wine glass. A good temperature to aim for is approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is ideal because it brings out the crisp nature of the wine and accentuates the sparkling effervescence. 

Once your Moscato is poured and prepped, do yourself a favor and serve it with some spicy foods. Yes, really. Moscato and spice are a match made in wine pairing heaven, especially when it’s spicy Chinese food. The sweet taste of the Moscato counteracts nicely with the strong, punchy flavors of spicy Asian cuisine. If spicy isn’t your thing, it also pairs nicely with soft cheeses such as brie, gorgonzola, and soft goat cheese. 

See, Taste, and Smell Notes

Moscato has a light, white color, and if you’re enjoying the effervescent variety, you’ll notice a delicate trail of bubbles in your glass. 

Taking a deep inhale of your Moscato, you’ll notice top notes of mint, lavender, citrus flowers, and cinnamon. The bottom notes will present pleasant aromas of orange blossom, honeysuckle, almonds, ginger, green grapes, citrus, and ripe peach. Overall, the wine will have a very floral, fruity perfume. 

Then, for the moment you’ve been waiting for, that long-awaited taste of Moscato. That first sip will take your tastebuds on a journey with notes of sweet peach, orange blossom, nectarine, and melon. The perfect, chilled sipper wine for a sunny day, or for any occasion where a sweet, bubbly friend is the perfect companion. 

Moscato is a surprisingly versatile wine that adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the right meal or sunny day. Now that you have newfound knowledge of this time-tested wine, now might be the perfect time to give it a try or a second taste!