Moscato d’Asti is a lightly sparkling, sweet white wine from the Asti area of Piedmont in northwestern Italy. It is made from Moscato Bianco, also known as Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, and is known for its floral aroma, fresh grape and peach flavours, gentle bubbles and relatively low alcohol compared with many other wines. It is a DOCG denomination with defined production rules.
Moscato d’Asti is generally made using a controlled fermentation in a pressurized tank. Fermentation is stopped before all the grape sugar is converted to alcohol, preserving natural sweetness and producing a gentle level of carbonation. The wine is typically bottled young to retain its fresh aromatic character.
Typical aromas include orange blossom, peach, apricot, fresh grape, citrus and honey. The wine is sweet but balanced by fresh acidity. It is usually lightly sparkling (frizzante) rather than fully sparkling, although the exact pressure and style depend on the product specification.
Moscato d’Asti is served well chilled and works with fruit desserts, fresh berries, almond pastries, panna cotta and lightly sweetened cakes. It can also pair with spicy dishes when the sweetness and low alcohol help balance heat, provided the dish is not too intense.
Example: serve Moscato d’Asti with peach tart, fruit salad, almond biscotti or a light panna cotta.
Moscato d’Asti is generally lightly sparkling and lower in alcohol. Asti Spumante is fully sparkling and has a different pressure and production specification. Both are made from Moscato Bianco in the Asti area.
Chef’s note: Moscato d’Asti is sweet, but its acidity keeps it refreshing. Avoid pairing it with desserts that are substantially sweeter than the wine.
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