If you've ever frequented any of the supermarkets or bottle shops in Australia, you probably need no further explanation of who Brown Brothers are. Located in North Eastern Victoria, Brown Brothers is a popular family-owned brand of wines that's been around for over 130 years, and are credited with being the first Australian wine makers to bring moscato to the masses in Australia. 

Ever-approachable, moscato is a style of wine made from muscat grapes that is comparatively lower in alcohol and tends to be sweeter in profile than most other wine types. While it has its origins in Italy, this style of wine has become more ubiquitous across the globe and specifically in Australia, as more consumers have flocked to its characteristically fruity-sweet flavors and accessible profiles. You could say that Brown Brother is equal parts a shaper and a beneficiary of this trend, as many of its moscato wines currently enjoy best-selling status, both within Australia and also across the many countries it exports to globally (with Asia being a key region of focus for the company). 

Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard 

That Brown Brothers' continues to enjoy mainstream success is, in my opinion, tied to its willingness to keep always things fresh. A case in point is the launch of their newest moscato release: the Brown Brothers Sparkling Moscato Lychee. Traditionalists might be a little surprised to discover that Brown Brothers had honed in on lychee as the central flavor for their new moscato. But if you think about it, the flavor combination makes a lot of sense. Having grown up in Southeast Asia myself, I need no further convincing of just how delicious the lychee fruit is - it's bright and fruity, with a slightly floral and musky aroma that I'd wager would make it complementary to the fresh-fruity vibrancy that people tend to chase in their moscatos. 

| Read more: Our reviews of the Brown Brothers Cienna and Brown Brothers Sparkling Moscato Rosé

This particular expression is made from Muscat of Alexandria grapes. Given that this is made as a sparkling wine, the wine has to go through a secondary fermentation, during which the yeast reacts with the sugars to develops the desired effervescence. Brown Brothers uses the Charmat method, also known as the tank method, which involves mixing the wine with sugar and yeast in a stainless steel pressure tank. Fermentation occurs in a closed system, so CO₂ is forced to only dissolve in the wine, before its then bottled at 8.0% ABV. Where the lychee is introduced is after the first fermentation and just prior to the second fermentation, when the wine maker adds naturally derived Lychee flavor to the moscato wine blend. 

Now enough talk, let's find out how it tastes! For the purposes of comparison, I've also reviewed the original Brown Brothers Moscato in a side-by-side tasting with the Brown Brother Sparkling Moscato Lychee:

Brown Brothers Sparkling Moscato Lychee, 8.0% ABV - Tasting Notes

Appearance: Pale green with lively effervescence.

Aroma: Sweet lychee soda notes are joined by the fruity aromas of mangosteen, duku, and langsat. Lots of fresh, tropical fruity flavors here - enhanced with slight musky accents of white florals. 

Taste: The texture is light-bodied with a gentle fizziness. Opens with fruity, bright apple and strawberry soda notes, with flavors of ripe lychee, yellow sultanas and a hint of mint sprig. Towards the end, here's a citrus zestiness that comes through, reminding me of lemon sherbet! 

Finish: Long with a lingering sweetness of canned lychees and green apple sour gummies.

Brown Brothers Moscato 2021 - Tasting Notes

Appearance: Pale green.

Nose: A bouquet of sweet summer fruits. The aroma kicks off leaning tart with a burst of citrus and some fresh apple slices, but gradually evolves with a sweetness of kyoho grapes and pear drops.

Palate: Medium bodied, with a juicy hit of apples, peaches and raisins, brightened by a zesty note of lemon pulp. 

Finish: Short and sweet, with undertones of apple and pineapple gummies.

Overall Thoughts

It's clear that both Brown Brother moscatos are designed for easy drinking - both are highly approachable with limited acidity and a bright and vibrant fruitiness. I would say that they shine best when enjoyed chilled. 

If you have a sweet tooth, the classic Brown Brothers Moscato would likely appeal more to you. It has friendly apple and green grape notes that lends sweetness and freshness to the palate, and that I reckon would contrast well with spicy foods or with seasoned meats! 

Personally, I would lean towards the Brown Brothers Sparkling Lychee Moscato myself - it's still as easygoing as the original Moscato with a delicate fruitiness, but I do appreciate that it has slightly more dryness and tartness to balance out the overall mouthfeel. The effervescence also makes it particularly refreshing - great to enjoy with a lemon meringue tart or even some brinier dishes like fish or prawns.

The above wines can be purchased in Singapore at FairPrice, Giant, Sheng Siong, Prime Supermarket, Shell, Cheers, Shopee, RedMart, The Boozy Hub, Wines N Spirits, PandaMart, and are distributed by Platinum Wines.



@lotusroot518