What Makes Moscato Unique?
Moscato, named after the Muscat grape, stands out because it marries low alcohol (usually 5–7% ABV) with fragrant aromatics of peach, apricot, orange blossom, and honeysuckle. It’s the sweet wine that starts with m that nonwine drinkers end up loving—accessible and gentle, rarely intimidating.
The most renowned style is Moscato d’Asti from Italy’s Piedmont region: a lightly fizzy (frizzante) wine with a burst of fresh fruit, gentle sweetness, and effervescence that dances on the tongue.
Production Basics
The Muscat grape: Used in everything from still to sparkling wines, this ancient variety is grown worldwide, from Italy to California and South Africa. Winemaking: Most Moscato is produced through partial fermentation—yeast is stopped early, preserving sweetness and a modest level of bubbles. Serving: Chilled, in a white wine glass or even a champagne flute.
Tasting Notes: The Sweet Wine That Starts With M
Color: Pale straw gold, sometimes with a greenish hue. Aroma: Intense floral notes (orange blossom, roses), ripe white peaches, and often a hint of tropical fruit. Flavor: Sweet but balanced by acidity, with a clean, crisp finish and persistent fruit: melon, honey, ripe pear. Body: Light—with a slight fizz that adds to its playful, refreshing feel.
Food Pairings
Moscato’s sweetness and acid make it a foodfriendly wine, despite its sugar content:
Brunch: Partners beautifully with pastries, fruit salads, French toast. Spicy cuisine: The sweetness tames the fire of Thai, Indian, or Szechuan dishes. Cheese: Try with blue cheese, goat cheese, or ricotta desserts. Desserts: Complements light, fruity sweets: lemon sorbet, panna cotta, tarts, and berries.
Because Moscato is the sweet wine that starts with m that sidesteps heavy tannins or bitterness, it’s a universal hit at tables with mixed preferences.
Moscato Styles Explained
Moscato d’Asti
The classic Italian version—slightly sparkling, low alcohol, high aroma. The benchmark in the “sweet wine that starts with m” category.
Asti Spumante
Asti’s fully sparkling incarnation, with a higher bubble content, made in the same Italian region.
Pink/Red Moscato
Often made by blending Muscat grapes with a tiny amount of red wine, these styles cater to the new wave of sweet wine drinkers: brighter in color, filled with ripe berry flavors, but still unmistakably Moscato.
Still Moscato
Produced across the world, still versions pack the same perfume, minus bubbles.
Why Moscato Is So Popular
Approachability: Not everyone loves dry, highalcohol wines. Moscato is a gateway—sweet without being syrupy, lively thanks to fizz. Low alcohol: A wine you can sip longer (or earlier in the day) without feeling heavy. Price point: Quality bottles start at $10–$20. Brunch trend: As brunch exploded in popularity, Moscato found its place alongside mimosas and rosés.
Trends and Innovations
Canned Moscato: Designed for picnics, tailgates, and hot days. Spritzes/cocktails: Moscato is often mixed with sodas, fruit purees, or liqueurs for light, sweet spritzers. Celebrity Moscato: Wellknown musicians and actors have launched their own brands, fueling the “sweet wine that starts with m” demand in U.S. markets.
Served Right
Always chill before opening. Pour straight from the fridge to a glass, not over ice—dilution ruins Moscato’s delicate flavor. Opened bottles are best consumed the same day; carbonation fades quickly.
Regional Bottles to Try
Italy: Vietti, Saracco, La Spinetta. California: Barefoot, Sutter Home, Beringer. Australia/South Africa: Brown Brothers, Robertson Winery.
Seek out smaller producers for artisanal takes; the massproduced versions can tilt too sweet.
Moscato Myths and Facts
Myth: All Moscato is very sweet. Fact: Some styles, especially from small European producers, are offdry and less syrupy. Myth: Moscato is only for dessert. Fact: It shines with appetizers, spicy foods, and brunch. Myth: Moscato is “unsophisticated.” Fact: Highend, singlevineyard Moscatos rival pricier whites for complexity and balance.
Final Thoughts
Moscato is the sweet wine that starts with m, but it’s much more than that—a wine that balances tradition with today’s love of easy, approachable sipping. For the disciplined drinker, it’s a reminder that complexity need not come with age or dryness, and that pleasure is sometimes best in its simplest form. Kept chilled, poured generously, and shared with friends, Moscato earns its place at any table or picnic. When in doubt, reach for the bottle that begins—and ends—the party with m.