What’s fizzy, frothy, and provides the perfect amount of sweetness when the craving strikes? That’s right, we’re talking about Moscato. Made from the Muscat family of grapes, Moscato (known as Moscatel in Spain) has a flavor profile that ranges all over the spectrum, from bone dry to syrupy sweet.
However, the Moscatos that we Americans are most accustomed to are those light, effervescent bottles brimming with sweet sparkles. Despite the negative hype, the wine is actually more loved than you might think. According to Wine Searcher, the year-to-date figure for Moscato searches stands at 273,261, while Prosecco stands at a significantly lower 128,615. That’s a ton of demand!
Not sure where to start? Grab a bottle of one of the top 10 Moscatos in the world according to Wine Searcher, from the list below!
- BARTENURA MOSCATO
Easily identified by its thin, blue glass bottle, Bartenura Moscato has claimed the palates of many, from novice wine drinkers to big-time celebrities. Bonus: The wine is kosher.
- PAOLO SARACCO MOSCATO D’ASTI
Hailing from Castiglione Tinella, Paolo Saracco Moscato comes from arguably the best region in the entire DOCG. The estate has been family-owned for over 100 years, currently owned and operated by third-generation, Paolo.
- SEVEN DAUGHTERS MOSCATO
What started as a simple red and white blend morphed into an entire line of single varietal wines at Seven Daughters. Their Moscato even comes in two different forms; bottle or can, perfect for any sweet-sipping situation.
- VIETTI CASCINETTA, MOSCATO D’ASTI
Like Paolo Saracco, Vietti Cascinetta’s Moscato vines are situated in the renowned growing area of Castiglione Tinella. Prestige and antiquity collide at Vietti; their Moscato vines are 40 years old!
- ZONIN PRIMO AMORE MOSCATO
Unlike most Italian Moscatos, Zonin’s bottling comes from the warmer southern region of Puglia. While most Moscatos sit at about 5%ABV, Zonin’s sits at a slightly higher 7% ABV. Hey, that 2% makes a difference on those occasional rough days at work!
- LA SPINETTA BRICCO QUAGLIA, MOSCATO D’ASTI
While Barolo and Barbaresco may reign at La Spinetta, their Moscato is definitely not to be discounted. According to Wine Searcher, their Moscato d’Asti is the fourth-most-searched- for wine in their portfolio, with fruit coming from a single, 20-hectare vineyard.
- MICHELE CHIARLO NIVOLE, MOSCATO D’ASTI
Nivole, meaning clouds in the localPiemontese dialect, is exactly what we feel like we’re on when sipping on this sweet stuff. Michele Chiarlo’s fruit comes from the sloping hills surrounding Canelli.
- CASTELLO DEL POGGIO MOSCATO
This Zonin-owned brand’s grapes come from Lombardy, east of Piedmont. Serve chilled with Italian cookies for ultimate enjoyment!
- ELIO PERRONE SOURGAL, MOSCATO D’ASTI
Also based in Castiglione Tinella, this single-vineyard Moscato comes from a small, five-acre plot. Wine Advocate has even deemed Perrone as a “reference-point producer for Moscato.”
- INNOCENT BYSTANDER MOSCATO
The only Southern Hemisphere bottle in the top 10! Innocent Bystander comes from the Victoria region of Australia and is made with a blend of Muscat Gordo and Muscat of Hamburg. According to Wine Searcher, in terms of searches, it is the top-ranked pink Moscato in the world!
By: Vicki Denig
(Grabbed from: https://vinepair.com/articles/top-10-moscato-wine-brands/)