Moscato Wine: What Is It?


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In recent years, Moscato has become a cultural phenomenon and has grown in popularity as consumers seek a sweeter and lighter-bodied wine with lower alcohol content. Because of its sweet nature, this became a hot topic in the wine world, however, this is far more versatile than you might think. Moscato wine appears to be more than a fad, so if you’re curious about this, consider this article a comprehensive guide for you to dig more about it.

What is a Moscato Wine?

Moscato is a fruity Italian sweet wine that is gaining popularity among wine drinkers worldwide. It was derived from the Italian word for Muscat, which is a widely planted and ancient grape variety. In Spain, this was known as Moscatel, while in Austria and Germany, it was known as muskateller. Because it has been around for almost thousands of years, this fruit is considered one of the oldest grapes in history. Today, these grapes are grown all over the world, and there are over 200 varieties of Vitis Vinifera, the most common type of grape used in winemaking. There is no doubt about its growth because Moscato is known for its ability to adapt to any climate, allowing it to grow and thrive in Italy, Spain, France, and even Australia.

Furthermore, it is speculated that these grapes originated in the Middle East. Moscato has been shown to grow best in warm to hot climates, but it can also grow in cool weather. It’s no surprise that it comes in a variety of colors, given that it comes in a variety of varieties. So don’t be surprised if you see a pink, red, or black Moscato sparkling wine. Wines of this type, on the other hand, are typically white, fizzy, and sweet. Despite differences in variety and color, they all have a low alcohol content that ranges between 5 and 7 percent.

Aside from that, what distinguishes Moscato wine from others is its sweet peach and orange blossom flavors. These fruits have a high sugar content that can range from off-dry to oversweet depending on the style. This fact paved the way for wine to be regarded as a great dessert drink that is appropriate and convenient for a variety of occasions. This can be used for casual sipping, formal events, or even a breakfast-lunch spritzer. This means it can be used at any time and any point during your meal. As a result, the wine is more versatile than others because it can be served as an aperitif, dessert wine, or as a complement to your main course.

Where Does Moscato Wine Come From?

Historically, Moscato wine was originated from Italy and it was most notable in the region of Piedmont. There is no wonder why this region can produce enticing wine since this is also where Barolo wine started and became famous worldwide. As indicated earlier, Moscato wine is made from muscats, which can also be eaten regularly and was also used to create raisins. These are popularly known to be highly fragrant and are praised because of their grape flavor profile. Although the primary thing that makes these grapes easily remembered by people is their high sugar content, their versatility cannot easily be surpassed by other varieties.

Wine academics even suggest that even before the popularity of muscat grapes, ancestors have initially enjoyed its natural fruit form. Since it was originated in Italy, the country is known to be the world’s leading producer of these grapes. Typically, these thrive in most warmer climates, thus, they became well-suited to the Mediterranean particularly in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France. However, since many have seen and experienced the versatility of these grapes, different countries across the world have already learned the pattern of planting grapes. This led to various mutations with other grape varieties even in cold counties such as Australia and California.

Moscato is also classified as an aromatic grape variety, which means it is heavily perfumed and offers exotic aromas such as jasmine, mandarin orange, peach, pear, rose petal, and honey, along with superb grapey quality. This also has lovely golden tones ranging from pink to pale brown. These wines were originally introduced as dessert wines before being optimized as sparkling due to their slight fizz. This is because Moscato wine is sweet and can be enjoyed as an aperitif; however, it is undeniable that almost every wine made from this grape has a low alcohol content, making it ideal for both casual and long events. This also explains why Moscato wine is regarded as an excellent easy-drinking wine.

While Moscato wine is best known for its sweet vino frizzante (gently sparkling) and spumante (more fizz) styles from Piedmont, Italy, it is now produced all over the world in a variety of styles depending on the region and type of muscat used. Furthermore, many countries, including the United States, have adopted the genre’s rapid mutation of Moscato wine as a favorite beverage. This wine is now one of the fastest-growing on the market, with a 25 percent annual growth rate. It showed no signs of slowing down after it was introduced to the market. This wine became the hottest wine in the country in 2012, with sales increasing by an astounding 78 percent over the previous year. This demonstrates that Moscato wine is popular not only in a single country but also across borders.

What Does Moscato Wine Taste Like?

You can easily identify what does Moscato wine taste like based on the information shared in the latter part of this article; however, you must first try it with your mouth to gain an enticing experience with it. Because this wine is made from muscat grapes, its well-known signature taste is its sweetness and fruity flavors, which produce a deep and relaxing vibe. However, it is nothing new that different countries are now producing their own Moscato wine based on the style and ingredients used. The flavors of the wine differed slightly as a result, but one thing remained consistent among all of these Moscato wines: they are all sweet.

Despite that, many are still asking whether this wine is sweet or dry as they are comparing Moscato from riesling. Although both are typically sweet white wines and produce a refreshing taste for drinkers, you can determine their uniqueness by focusing on dryness. Keep in mind that riesling is a little bit dry but sweet while Moscato is sweeter.

If you are familiar with the wine world, you should be aware that the majority of newcomers to the world of white wines enter through the sweet wine door because they are smoother and more enjoyable to drink. So, if you prefer fruitier and sweeter wines with low alcohol content, Moscato could be your new favorite bottle.

What are the 5 Types of Moscato Wine You Need to Know?

There are over 200 muscat varieties in the world, each producing wines with distinct flavors and textures, all of which are on the fruitier side of the spectrum. There are five different types of Moscato wine, each with significant differences in how they are made, blended and served.

Dessert Moscato

Dessert Moscato is usually served as an excellent aperitif to round out a meal. All Moscato wines are sweet but none of them compares to this dessert Moscato. Thus, they are sweeter and fruitier that goes well with desserts like cheesecake and custards. Typically, they are served cold in a port or sherry glass.

Muscat Blanc

Muscat Blanc, on the other hand, is a white wine that is typically consumed while still. It has the distinctive fruity flavors and golden sweetness that muscat grapes are known for, as well as notes of orange blossom and honeysuckle. This is served chilled in a small wine glass.

Sparkling Moscato

One of the most popular sparkling wines of this kind is the Moscato d’Asti. This wine style is often described as a sweet fizz that has floral notes and berry on the nose. This has a hint of sparkle or frizzante, an ABV of 5 or 6 percent, and is slightly sweeter compared to other sparkling wines. This is still enjoyed around the world, albeit in smaller quantities. The same with the aforementioned wines, this is also served chilled but in a champagne flute.

Pink Moscato

Pink Moscato is a type of rosé wine and is considered one of the most classic rosés on the market. It has complement flavors reminiscent of raspberries and pomegranates. According to wine experts, this is more of a marketing ploy than a traditional Moscato wine because of its uniqueness and twist in flavor. It is also best served chilled in a small wine glass.

Red Moscato

Red Moscato is a sweet red wine made from orange and black grape varieties with ripe raspberry, cherry, and strawberry flavors. Typically, this wine is more colorful, vibrant, and luscious, with crisp acidity. This is ideal for those who enjoy light red wines and should be served in a Burgundy glass at a slightly cooler temperature than room temperature.

Conclusion:

Finally, Moscato wine has proven to be one of the most popular wines in a variety of countries since each manufacturer creates its distinct style of this wine. Although it originated in Italy, its popularity has steadily grown as many people regard this wine as the ideal choice for casual parties and boozy picnics. Because of its golden sweetness flavor, versatility, and adaptability, wine academics believe that its history and existence will never fade in the market.

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