Italy In SF

Moscato is the largest grown grape variety in Piedmont, and Moscato and Asti are the most widely sold Piedmontese wines in the world- not bad for a sweet wine! The intense and fragrant aroma of the fruit is intensified in the wine and anticipates the sweet taste, made thirst-quenching by the fresh bubbles. Those who don’t not really know Moscato believe it to belong only at the end of the meal. Actually it does accompany splendidly tiramisù, panna cotta, zabaione, chantilly-cream, shortcrust pastry and so on, but in Piedmont it traditionally matches with hazelnuts and all dried fruit: amaretti and torrone are therefore perfect company. Try it also with fresh fruit, peaches or strawberries, or serve it very cold: a mellow, romantic and thirst quenching drink with a low alcoholic content. Moscato d’Asti alcohol content is no more than 5,5% : the lightest wine in the world.

Moscato is also a perfect cocktail-wine: it is aromatic, sweet, and sparkling. Here is an idea to get you started: try a Moscato Bellini! Shake peach juice with ice, then pour it in a high tumbler and add 50% of very cold Moscato d’Asti. Mix very slowly, to save natural bubbles, and serve with a slice of yellow peach.

Filed under: Wines