Moscato

Moscato d'Asti DOCG

The finest wines from moscato grapes

In the very best moscato wines, the extraordinary aromatic perfume and sweet richness is balanced with just the right degree of acidity.

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Moscato (Muscat) grapes make an aromatic wine that actually smells and tastes of ripe grapes. When picked, they can also be eaten fresh as table grapes.

The finest wines are made from Moscato bianco (white) grapes; these are widely grown across Monferrato and Langhe, the permitted zone encompassing 52 comunes, all to the south (right bank) of the River Tanero where the friable soils of the hills have similar geological origins and characteristics.

The moscato wine trade

These grapes forms the basis of the important sparkling Moscato industry of Asti. Because of its full flavour, moscato is an ideal varietal for relatively hot vineyards and flourishes on the upper slopes of the hills around Canelli, a town whose fortunes, more than anywhere else, have historically been tied to its success.

It was here, in 1865 that Carlo Gancia, following his return from Rheims, succeeded in adapting the classic French method for making champagne using the Piedmontese white moscato grape – and created the first Italian sparkling wine. The family later acquired the elegant yellow Casa Gancia castello (1706) which oversees the town, and today Gancia remains one of the large international Canelli-based wine houses.

There are just under 10,000 hectares of moscato under cultivation and 6,000 growers (including our vineyards at Casa della Fontana). 68 million bottles are produced annually, of which 50m are exported. The demand is such that the price obtained for the moscato grapes harvest, and indeed for the (restricted) cultivation rights, exceeds significantly that for all the other local grape varieties.

Production

In the vineyard, yields are strictly controlled to maintain quality. After harvest the grapes are taken direct to the press and the must is chilled in refrigerators to prevent the onset of premature fermentation, being held at zero degrees until winemaking commences.

The fermentation of Moscato, a vino tranquillo aromatico, is halted at 5% leaving higher residual sugars and the CO2 pressure in the bottle is below 1.7 bars.

Character

Moscato D'Asti DOCG is the colour of pale straw with a continuous gentle stream of fine bubbles. Its light, elegant effervescence balances perfectly with the natural fragrance and aroma of the grapes. In the very best of these wines, that fragrance is reinforced by the extraordinarily rich natural sugar content, perfectly balanced by the right degree of acidity.

Serving and Accompaniments

Moscato D'Asti DOCG should always be served well-chilled - at 6-8°.

It is a delightful, refreshing wine to drink on a hot day. Its low alcohol content makes it a wine anyone can drink, and it is an exceptional accompaniment to deserts such as fresh fruit, ice cream, sweet cakes and mixed fruit salads.

Also the contrast of savoury cheese or any sweet and sour dishes.

More information

The trade association, Consorzio dell'Asti, has an informative English language website (news, narrative, features and statistics - together with downloads and recipes) at www.asti.docg.it

Late harvest Moscato bianco grapes are also used to make Loazzolo DOC desert wine

Accompanied wine tasting

If you would like to be accompanied on a visit direct to a local producer for a tasting of a selection of a variety of Italian wines, please contact us for more information.

E mail: kerrie@anitalianadventure.co.uk

0039 0141 851 154