Moscato d'Asti: 3 Important Reasons Why You Should Buy It Now

Asti and the surrounding areas produce Moscato d'Asti, a gently sweet sparkling wine produced in northwest Italy's Piedmont region. The grape used to make it, Moscato Bianco (white Muscat), has been cultivated in the area for many years and is thought to be the ancestor of all Moscato varieties. In the Italian National Register of Grape Varietals, there are currently eight officially recognized Moscatos. However, more than 200 Muscat varieties are produced globally as still, sparkling, sweet, and fortified wines.

The Moscato D'asti wine appellation has been included in Italy's highest production category, the DOCG, since 1993. One of the most recognizable products of Piedmont winemaking, along with the region's well-known red Nebbiolo wines, Barolo, and Barbaresco, is Moscato d'Asti. Most top producers complete their portfolios with these incredibly aromatic wines.

Moscato D'Asti is distinct from the region's Asti Spumante, which is also created from Moscato Bianco (and is now referred to as Asti) and is often of higher quality, slightly sweeter, and more gently sparkling.

The only grape variety that produces wine with the same aroma as the grape itself is the muscat variety, which is a fun fact about the grape. The smell is detectable both outside the vineyards and within the glass!

History

Contrary to popular belief, Moscato d'Asti has a considerably longer history dating back to the Greeks when it was grown under Antilico. The bees, or apes in Italian, are drawn to the grape's beautiful smells of blossoms, white peaches, apricot, and sage, which is why the ancient Romans dubbed it Apianae.

Early in the 16th century, the Moscato wine-loving Prince of Savoy ruled that one-fifth of all vineyard plantings in the region had to be Moscato Bianco, and anyone planting less would face a fine. Savoy also prohibited the importation of any other vines into the territory, marking a turning moment in the history of Moscato and demonstrating how important the grape was to the area.

The "father" of Moscato d'Asti, Giovan Battista Croce, came next. He was a Milanese jeweller for the aristocracy who also owned vineyards where he tried out various vine-training techniques. He developed the methods for producing sweet, fragrant wines with low alcohol levels in his cellar. In 1606, he wrote a book titled "Of the Excellence and Diversity of Wines That Are Made on the Mountain of Turin and How to Make Them" because people flocked from all across Piedmont to learn how he made his wine. When local Moscato d'Asti winemakers desired to produce the best sparkling Moscatos, they used the book as a guide.

The 3 Reasons

1) It Goes Well With Food

Although Moscato d'Asti is usually considered a dessert wine, its adaptability makes it ideal for the entire meal because it is only mildly sweet and never overpowering. The wine pairs well with various antipasti, including melon with prosciutto, mortadella, blue or cheddar cheese, and deep-fried vegetables. It has delicate scents and flavours reminiscent of peach, apricot, sage, lemon, and orange blossom. For the main course, the sweetness of the wine balances the heat of typical summer foods like grilled meats served with hot relish or barbecue sauce flavoured with chilli peppers.

Of course, desserts like fruit pies, creamy desserts, meringues, shuffles, berries, and even chocolate go perfectly with Moscato wines. The wine's gentle bubbles are also pleasing to the tongue and won't violently overpower any delicate notes in a dish.

Crispy sage leaves on top of grilled shrimp was a popular combo with Moscato d'Asti when I visited the Asti region (thank you, Consorzio dell'Asti DOCG), and I now like recreating it at home.

While there, I also came across a fantastic cocktail that involved pouring the wine over ice mixed with lemon slices and fresh sage leaves. What a cool drink during the summertime!

2) It Has a Low Alcohol Content

When served at the start of a meal, Moscato d'Asti is a light wine that whets the appetite; when done at the conclusion, it serves as a digestif. Its alcohol level (ABV) is limited to 5.5% by legislation. Compare that to the majority of other sparkling wines, which have an ABV between 11.5 and 12.5%, and to red and white wines, which can have an ABV between 14 and 15%.

Offering guests a choice of a less alcoholic beverage is always a good idea, especially on a hot summer day when we're all thirsty. Like in Italy, children can enjoy a small sip without suffering negative consequences!

At Cellarbrations, these are some of the different Moscatos that we have available for everyone to choose from.

3) It Offers Excellent Value

It's unnecessary for wine to be difficult or expensive to be pleasurable! A delicious, well-made Moscato d'Asti may be purchased for under $25, which is a great deal. This article carefully explains Why is Moscato So Affordable, which provides a reasonable price to most.

4) The Grape's Variety

Few grapes can be made into wines in such a wide variety of methods. When we refer to Moscato, we may discuss anything from dessert wine to pink beverages.

That is another major plus in our eyes.

Moscato d'Asti isn't your favourite wine because it's too sweet for you, and still Moscato might be a perfect choice. Or, if you're feeling very daring, keep a lookout for a Red Moscato!

5) It Works Well with Desserts

Desserts were the topic of the last section, so it merits further discussion here.

Examine your selection of Italian wines. Now, let us know how many of those wines you would be comfortable combining with a sweet dessert.

We're going to assume there are few. Reds are typically too complex for sweet delicacies unless combined with another similarly tricky colour. And the sweetness of the desert tends to overpower many whites.

However, Moscato is a wine that can compete head-to-head with a decadent dessert. In fact, dessert wine varieties can improve pleasure in several ways.

At Cellarbration, we have an endless array of Moscato for you to choose from. Head down and select the preferred Moscato of your choice now! Feel free to contact us if you require any further assistance.