Hear the name Moscato, and chances are some among you might have uncorked a bottle or two on a date night in the past. A relatively accessible offering in the world of wines, it's slight fizz and low ABV make it a very popular casual-drinking option, especially as a dessert-type wine.

But how many know exactly what it is? That's where we come in, so you know a little bit more to impress your date the next time they propose opening a bottle!

Enough Talk! What is Moscato?

To understand what Moscato is, one must first understand the grape it is derived from. For those that have read our deep dive on white wine grapes, Moscato is refers to wines made from the Muscat wine variety, with "Moscato" being the Italian word for the muscat grape. You might also have heard of Moscatels, which is the Spanish or Portugese term for the same Muscat grape varietal. 

One of the oldest grape varieties (dating back to the ancient Persians), Muscat grapes actually refer to a family of grapes as opposed to a singular variety. Of this family, the Japanese-cultivated Shine Muscat Grape has seen recent popularity as a table grape.

With over 200 variants, most mutations have the word Muscat in the name, such as the Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains and Muscat Noir boasting white and black-skinned colors respectively. This also leads to different variations of Moscato wines, which we'll come to talk about.

By and large, Moscato wines tend to be sweeter and are particularly aromatic; young wines have notes of flowers, citrus, and tropical fruits like apricot and peach. Wine from this grape is known to oxidise fairly quickly, and aged expressions will gain notes of raisin, coffee and toffee.

Types of Moscato

As mentioned, there isn't an all-encompassing version of the wine. Like wines of the Pinot variety, Moscatos have quite a few versions:

Sparkling/Semi-Sparkling: 

(Image Source: Once Upon a Vine)

Hailing from Piedmont, wines such as the Moscato d’Asti (semi-sparkling) and Asti Spumante (sparkling) are the most common Moscatos out in the market. Chances are, if someone says Moscato, these are what they have in mind.

In general, they are white, sweet and made from the Muscat Blanc grape. Their sparkling nature also goes by the name “frizzante”. Moscato d'Asti is the lighter, more delicate option, while Asti Spumante offers a sweeter, fuller-bodied experience. They are known to have notes that include notes of peach, mandarin, ripe pear, orange blossom, apricot and honeysuckle.

Still:

A non-sparkling version of the above Moscatos, still Moscatos are also made with Muscat Blanc grapes, but also include other Muscat varieties such as Muscat of Alexandria.

Some still Moscatos might exhibit a subtle petrol-like aroma, but the general consensus is that they are on the drier side, with a sweet aroma and tasting notes that don't diverge too much from their sparkling siiblings: citrus, floral notes with stone fruit and orange blossom.

Red Moscato:

Red Moscato is a rarer offering that many might not commonly see on supermarket shelves. Made with a Muscat variation called Black Muscat, it is touted to be a sweeter, more approachable alternative to traditional red wines.

Red Moscato is said to have notes of bright red berries, sweet citrus, peach, rose petals and violets, and subtle roasted notes of assam black tea. 

Pink:

Perhaps one of the more recognisable of the Moscatos on this list, this is actually a cheeky version of Moscato that can be considered a blend than a single-varietal.

A tiny bit of Merlot is added to white wine made with Muscat Blanc, which gives it its signature light pink hue. What the Merlot addition does is add notes of rich caramel and vanilla atop the existing Moscato flavors.

Dessert:

Some dessert moscatos can be drizzled directly onto dishes.

An oak-aged moscato variation made with Moscatel grapes, these dessert wines are by far the sweetest versions among all the Moscatos.

Different regions that produce this wine have varied ways to make it;  In southern Portugal, Moscatel de Setúbal is made with the rare Moscatel Roxo grapes, whereas some producers in Sicily partially dry their grapes to concentrate its natural sugars. Some are even made with late-harvested grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), resulting in concentrated sweetness and complex flavors. 

Such dessert Moscatos are said to have a rich, syrupy texture with intense aromas of apricot, honey, and candied citrus.

How about pairings?

Speaking generally on account of Moscato's many variations, its light body and refreshing acidity make it a delightful aperitif, perfect for socializing and stimulating the appetite.

Beyond the initial course, Moscato is said to pair surprisingly well with spicy dishes, as the sweetness helps to balance the heat. Additionally, its fruity and floral notes complement delicate pastries, creamy desserts, and even some soft cheeses.

While it's often associated with sweet treats, Moscato's versatility surprisingly extends to savory dishes. It is known to pair well with aromatic spices like ginger, cinnamon and cardamom, while lighter white proteins (Chicken, fish) compliment it better.

Lok Bing Hong A budding journalist that loves experiencing new things and telling people's stories. I have 30 seconds of coherence a day. I do not decide when they come. They are not consecutive.