Despite the prevalence of Moscato in Piedmont, it doesn’t get as much attention as the dry red wines of the region. More fanfare goes to the wines of Barolo – high-tannin reds made with Nebbiolo grapes. Still, it’s nice to know that many of the top Barolo producers also make great Moscato. So, even if Moscato doesn’t get talked about by most pros, it’s actually taken quite seriously by Northern Italy’s top producers. The more you know! 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

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 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 Strevi DOC: Another unique sweeter style made with partially dried grapes in a technique called “passito.” This wine is rich and sweet!Bursting with bright peach and white blossom notes, sky high acidity, light effervescence, and sweetness that lies perfectly in balance. Moscato with cheeses and quince, a fruit salad drizzled with maple syrup, or even for breakfast in lieu of that mimosa… an iconic producer, Michele Chiarlo makes Nivole, a single vineyard expression of pure joy in a perfectly sized 375mL bottle. Cin cin!” Summers can be very hot; winters are cold and pretty dry, so water never soaks the soil. The landscape, however, is hilly, and water doesn't stagnate. Winter and fall are damp and fog is frequent. (The renowned local grape Nebbiolo takes its name from nebbia, the Italian word for “fog.") Moisture is a blessing here because it's responsible for the growth of mushrooms and truffles. The cooler region in which Moscato bianco is grown and produced has an optimal blend of limestone and sandstone soil that allows for adequate hydration and brings out the flavor of the grapes. The grapes are harvested when the brix is optimal and then crushed. The must is chilled almost to the point of freezing to halt the fermentation process. By law, Moscato D’Asti can only contain 5.5% abv so the fermentation process is halted leaving much of the natural sugars remaining in the wine. Unlike Champagne, there is no secondary fermentation allowed in the bottle. Right before bottling, the Moscato d’Asti goes through a filtration process that leaves the wine with a translucent golden color. [4] In popular culture [ edit ] Moscato wines from the area of Asti have their homeland in Canelli, a small town close to the Langhe wine region where the production of a sparkling wine from the Charmat/Martinotti method started in the nineteenth century.

Note: Technically, wine isn’t nutritious. Recommended serving size is based on what the National Cancer Institute recommends to maintain a moderate drinking lifestyle. 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. 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 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.At the beginning of the fermentation, carbon dioxide is allowed to escape. Afterward, though, the tanks are sealed so that the remaining dioxide is contained. The fermentation continues until 7%. At this point, the pressure is 5 to 6 atmospheres, and the wine is chilled, killing the yeasts, ending the wine production. The final wine is filtered from sediments and bottled. Then, the Moscato d’Asti goes immediately for sale. Is Moscato d’Asti Dry or Sweet? 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 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! 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. Except for Moscato d’Asti there is also Asti Spumante. That is a drier sparkling with an alcohol concentration of 9% ABV. The difference between the two Muscato-based bubbles is the strength of the sparkle. In the Italian vernacular, Moscato d’Asti is considered frizzante (minimum pressure of 1 atmosphere), while Asti Spumante is spumante (minimum pressure of 4 atmospheres). What Color Is Moscato d’Asti?

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. Pet Nat wine is fizzy and light, and usually low in alcohol. It pairs very well with a plate of cheese and fruits, but is most often enjoyed on its own. This unusual wine is as exclusive as the Moscato d’Asti, but gives you a higher acidity and fizziness. A unique vinification process sets it apart, where the fermentation process is stopped not by freezing, as with Moscato d’Asti, but by placing the bottles in a cold river! One to try for an exclusive evening with a complex flavor that suits the winter months as much as the summer. Riesling 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. Moscato d’Asti translates into sweet (wine) from Asti. Undoubtedly, therefore, the wine has been named after the Muscat grapes used to produce it. The origins of Muscat are challenging to pinpoint, as there are several theories about the origins of the Muscat name. The most common one suggests that Muscat derives from the Persian word ‘muchk’. It takes its name from the town of Asti, where vineyards perch on the surrounding hills. Asti lies only a few miles from more renowned Alba (which is smaller, but is well-known for being the blessed town of Barbaresco, Barolo, hazelnuts and white truffles) on the Tanaro River, in the heart of Monferrato wine region.

Different theories place the origins of Muscat in Oman and that it took its name from the city of Muscat, located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. Another theory suggests Muscat was named after the Greek Moschato city, located in Attica, Southwest of the capital Athens. Besides, Moschato is a common synonym in Greece for dessert wines made from Muscat. How to Pronounce Moscato d’Asti? 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: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. Love sweet wines? So do we! Here are 9 sweet wines that prove this style is not just a phase for beginners. The Moscato d’Asti wine-making zone is located in a hilly area south of Asti town, in Piedmont, northwestern Italy. It covers about 50 communes of the Alessandria, Asti, and Cuneo provinces. The zone’s eastern edge sees the Bormida River, which flows past Acqui Terme. There, Moscato vines grow next to Dolcetto and Brachetto vines used to produce Dolcetto d’Acqui and Brachetto d’Acqui respectively. Its eastern side is marked by Serralunga d’Alba village, where there are plenty of Nebbiolo vineyards. Piedmont (or Piemonte) is characterized by mountains to the north that provide a rain shadow protecting the region from winds and precipitation. The climate is moderate and continental, with cold winters and summers that can be subject to thunderstorms, hail, and fog. Also, there are some moderating influences from the Po River in the south and Lake Maggiore in the north. Piedmont is known for its foothills, too, which provide different aspects and altitudes for viticulture. The Muscat vines in Asti are planted on such slopes. 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.