What is Moscato d'Asti?
If you haven’t tried a Moscato d'Asti, it’s time to explore this slightly sparkling Italian amore. It’s an iconic, fruity white dessert wine made with the Moscato (a.k.a. ‘Muscat’) Bianco grape, which has been cultivated at least since the Medieval Ages, roughly 1,000 years longer than Cabernet Sauvignon. Moscato grapes are regarded as the oldest known grape for winemaking.
Anything this legendary must be worth at least taste, right? The devoted love for Moscato d'Asti runs deep. It might stem from being a sweet though delicately less effervescent dessert wine that’s also low in alcohol.
From its fragrance alone, you’ll know why this dessert wine is the pride of Asti. Expect most Moscato d'Asti wine to feature notes of apricot, orange blossom, lemon, or thyme. Some may be more musky than floral.
You may wonder, what is the difference in taste between a Moscato and a Moscato d'Asti? Overall, Moscato tends to be generally sweeter, therefore less versatile in pairing than a Moscato d'Asti.
Moscato d'Asti is meant to be served around 40°F, so it’s not worth breaking a tradition and ruining an otherwise enchanting evening because you left it out of the fridge or forgot the ice bucket. If stored correctly long-term, this subtly sparkling dessert wine can age quite nicely given its bright acidity.
Where does Moscato d'Asti come from?
Moscato d'Asti, a DOCG classified wine (Italy’s most prestigious certification) is produced mainly within the Asti region in Italy’s Piedmont as well as within the neighboring Northwestern provinces of Cuneo and Alessandria.
How is Moscato d’Asti made?
Moscato d'Asti is made in small batches in the cool Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy, where the Moscato (Muscat) Bianco grapes are grown. Only the best of the various Muscats can be used for this unique dessert wine.
There’s also a strict law that Moscato d’Asti must contain only 5.5% abv. To meet this standard, winemakers chill the wine just under freezing temperature to stop fermentation.
Each batch of Moscato d’Asti is filtered before bottling, which gives the wine its golden hue. Some vino lovers may confuse Moscato d'Asti with champagne, given they are both sparkling and share a similar coloring. They are quite different, though.
First of all, real Champagne is only produced in the Champagne region of France and averages 12% abv. Moscato d’Asti is slightly sparkling (or as the Italians say ‘frizzante’), as opposed to full sparkling Champagne, which goes through two fermentation steps; Moscato d'Asti only requires one.
And yes, Champagne is synonymous with special occasions, but no doubt can be a bit pricey for most imbibers of bubbly. You don’t really need a reason to enjoy a great bottle of Moscato d'Asti with your friends or family tonight!
Wondering which foods pair well with Moscato d'Asti? Naturally, this Italian favorite will always be a hit sharing the table with antipasto plates, charcuterie, or your favorite Parmigiano-Reggiano, brie, or soft goat cheese. You may be amazed though at how well it goes with some spicy-hot Thai dishes. Just don’t forget to save some for dessert, too!
Less bubbly means less filling, too, so Moscato d’Asti is a smart choice for your next feast.
Want to learn more about Moscato d'Asti?
Visit our Guide to Sparkling Asti Wine to learn more about wine from Asti.
