An interesting note about this wine is that it is almost exclusively produced in small wineries and comes in a limited number of batches. The variety is characterized by small grains that ripen early and need continuous care, which only adds to the exclusivity of Moscato d’Asti. The same grape is used for the production of various other wine styles: dry and light, sweet and sparking, or rich dessert wines with honey flavors. Piedmont (or Piemonte) is characterized by mountains to the north that provide a rain shadow protecting the region from winds and precipitation. The climate is moderate and continental, with cold winters and summers that can be subject to thunderstorms, hail, and fog. Also, there are some moderating influences from the Po River in the south and Lake Maggiore in the north. Piedmont is known for its foothills, too, which provide different aspects and altitudes for viticulture. The Muscat vines in Asti are planted on such slopes. Loazzolo DOC: A 100% Moscato wine that’s available in a late-harvest style (aka Vendemmia Tardiva) and that’s sweetened from noble rot. Late-harvest Loazzolo has higher alcohol and sugar content (a minimum of 11% ABV). Colli Tortonese Moscato DOC: A minimum of 85% Moscato Bianco (aka Muscat Blanc) from the far eastern side of Piedmont.

As a sweet wine, Moscato d’Asti has a high-calorie density. The carbs in Moscato d’Asti are 13.5 per glass, while the calories are 110 to 120 per serving. The amount of residual sugar is a matter of concern for wine enthusiasts on a diet, though. Moscato d’Asti has 14 grams of sugar per serving. That needs consideration by wine fans with a low-sugar lifestyle. ConclusionMoscato wines from the area of Asti have their homeland in Canelli, a small town close to the Langhe wine region where the production of a sparkling wine from the Charmat/Martinotti method started in the nineteenth century. Moscato d’Asti is not the only wine made out of the Moscato bianco grape in Piedmont: the region produces some of the finest wines of this grape variety under the name Asti DOCG. The two most iconic wines under this name are Asti Spumante (often called just Asti, or foaming Asti) and Moscato d’Asti (fizzy Asti). They both impart an impressive aroma, but use different vinification methods. Both wines are reminiscent of the finer pleasures in life – full of aroma and sweetness, and featuring a wonderful fresh floral taste, they are ideal to enjoy on their own or served with cheese or desserts. Different theories place the origins of Muscat in Oman and that it took its name from the city of Muscat, located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. Another theory suggests Muscat was named after the Greek Moschato city, located in Attica, Southwest of the capital Athens. Besides, Moschato is a common synonym in Greece for dessert wines made from Muscat. How to Pronounce Moscato d’Asti? Asti DOCG, which includes two “bubbles" made from Moscato grapes, lies around the Belbo River, to the north of the Bormida River. Its soil is mainly chalky marl and limestones, but its composition can vary from area to area: the northern part of Monferrato - misleadingly called Basso (or “Low") Monferrato - is richer in limestone, clay and gravel, while the southern part ( Alto (or “High") Monferrato) contains more minerals, which makes it suitable for growing cereals and vegetables, also.

The wine may be sweet, but alcohol levels are surprisingly low! Moscato d’Asti are typically just 5.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). To put that into perspective, the average bottle of wine has 12% ABV. For this reason, Moscato d’Asti is a great choice for light drinkers. Serving Recommendations In Piedmont, where Moscato d’Asti comes from, the locals drink red wine almost exclusively while eating. In fact, the thought of serving Moscato d’Asti with savory foods seems outrageous to them. However, across the world, we see Moscato d’Asti combined with international cuisines and a variety of different dishes, from seafood to poultry-based courses. The Moscato d’Asti pronunciation is not challenging, even for non-native Italian speakers. Learning how to pronounce it is pivotal, however, especially when seeking to join wine-tasting circles. You can find several helpful audio and video examples of how to pronounce Moscato d’Asti online. There are three syllables in Moscato, and the emphasis falls on the second syllable. Phonetically, Moscato looks like this:Strevi DOC: Another unique sweeter style made with partially dried grapes in a technique called “passito.” This wine is rich and sweet! Both wines are subject to the same controls and DOCG status, which increases the quality and protects the product – so do try out both for your next Sunday lunch! The best Moscato d’Asti wines It takes its name from the town of Asti, where vineyards perch on the surrounding hills. Asti lies only a few miles from more renowned Alba (which is smaller, but is well-known for being the blessed town of Barbaresco, Barolo, hazelnuts and white truffles) on the Tanaro River, in the heart of Monferrato wine region. Lambrusco is a delicate Italian white wine with a gentle fizz and fruity taste, featuring hints of lemon and apple. It has a low alcohol level, similar to Moscato d’Asti, but is less sparkling and higher in acidity. Lambrusco pairs best with seafood, pasta and various desserts, so if you’re looking for something for your main Italian course, go for Lambrusco. Prosecco

Except for Moscato d’Asti there is also Asti Spumante. That is a drier sparkling with an alcohol concentration of 9% ABV. The difference between the two Muscato-based bubbles is the strength of the sparkle. In the Italian vernacular, Moscato d’Asti is considered frizzante (minimum pressure of 1 atmosphere), while Asti Spumante is spumante (minimum pressure of 4 atmospheres). What Color Is Moscato d’Asti? Note: Technically, wine isn’t nutritious. Recommended serving size is based on what the National Cancer Institute recommends to maintain a moderate drinking lifestyle. One of the top DOCG classification in Italy, Moscato d’Asti wine is produced in the northwest region of Piedmont ( Piemonte in Italian) : primarily from the province of Asti, but also from the smaller provinces of Cuneo and Alessandria. It is the most popular of Moscato wines, and some even consider it the definition of Moscato – even though it is only produced in Italy. However, many different types of Moscato exist, including Moscato Rosa, Muscat Ottonel and Moscatel de Setúbal.Moscato d'Asti is a DOCG sparkling white wine made from the Moscato bianco grape and produced mainly in the province of Asti, northwest Italy, and in smaller nearby regions in the provinces of Alessandria and Cuneo. The wine is sweet and low in alcohol, and is considered a dessert wine. A related wine, Asti, is produced in the same area from the same grape. Asti DOCG: the fully sparkling or “spumante” (“spoo-mon-tay”) version of Moscato d’Asti. Bubbly and sweet! The aromatic Riesling wine has a delightful aroma of orchard fruits such as pears and apricots, golden colour apples and nectarines, with a hint of jasmine. It is high in acidity, and the only wine in this list without the sparkling character. If you enjoy Moscato d’Asti but are looking a wine that isn’t sparkling, this is the wine for the occasion. Just like Moscato d’Asti, it suits equally well as an accompaniment to spicy dishes. Despite the prevalence of Moscato in Piedmont, it doesn’t get as much attention as the dry red wines of the region. More fanfare goes to the wines of Barolo – high-tannin reds made with Nebbiolo grapes. Still, it’s nice to know that many of the top Barolo producers also make great Moscato. So, even if Moscato doesn’t get talked about by most pros, it’s actually taken quite seriously by Northern Italy’s top producers. The more you know! A sparkling wine, Asti Spumante DOCG has an internal pressure of up to 5 bars, and an alcohol level of 6-9%, slightly higher than Moscato d’Asti. During its production, a lower level of residual sugar (or post-fermentation sugar) is left in Asti Spumante, making the bubbly Asti wine less sweet when compared to Moscato d’Asti.