Moscato d’Asti
A great wine with a little bit of fizz
What is light and bubbly, has a peaches and flowers fragrance and only 5.5% alcohol? Moscato d’Asti, which is not just any old Moscato. Even the most sophisticated wine drinkers sing the praises of Heuriger and Vinho verde, respectively the inexpensive young white wines of Austria and Portugal. Go one step further and you will find hordes of even the most sophisticated wine lovers writing poems of praise about Beaujolais Nouveau. However not too many of the sophisticated among us are willing to admit that the equally light and bright Moscato d’Asti can be every bit as refreshing and delightful. The problem is that most people have tasted Heuriger, Beaujolais Nouveaux and Vinho verde during trips abroad and this has added a certain amount of snob value to them. Moscato d’Asti, on the other hand, has been exported into Europe for many years and, alas, has come to have a lowly status.
No one will ever accuse Italy’s Moscato d’Asti of being sophisticated. Fair enough, however, for this is not a wine meant to be sipped, reflected and discussed. On the contrary, this frizzante (lightly sparkling) wine is meant to be consumed almost as well chilled as Champagne, in large mouthfuls. What the heck, this is a wine so simple that if the fancy takes you, do as the Italians do and add ice cubes to the glass. In a nutshell, Moscato d’Asti is a wine intended for pure and simple pleasure. But, as Groucho Marx once observed (albeit with regard to a completely different subject), at their best, these wines are “worth their weight in smiling gold”.
Made in the Piedmont region from Moscato Bianco (the grapes the French refer to as Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains), these wines are low in alcohol (5.5% maximum), remarkably fruity and fragrant, and just sweet enough that some consider them a lovely wine as an aperitif or a dessert wine. Delicate, light on the palate, and with just a hint of musky aromas, some even consider Moscato d’Asti the perfect wine for breakfast.
Wine of the week
2005 Cascinetta Vietti Moscato d’ Asti, DOCG, Italy, Alcohol Volume 5.5%
The Vietti family has been tending vines in Barolo since the middle of 19th century. This elegant and subtle wine is slightly frizzante, which blends with nice, vibrant acidity to make it dance on your tongue. It is considered a sweet wine, yet does not drink like one, due to the great balance and crisp acids. Thank goodness it’s low in alcohol as it goes down so easily and quickly.
With a colour somewhere between that of a light straw and liquid gold, this light to medium-bodied wine has flavours and aromas of wild flowers, melon, peach, thyme, oregano and honey all coming together very nicely with its light sparkle to make a wine ideally suited for brunch, picnics or with fruit and custard cakes and fruit tarts. Try this with zabaglione and panna cotta. Outstanding!!! It is versatile enough that it can be drunk as an aperitif – it is one of the most refreshing wines in the world. One final note: Moscato d’ Asti is best consumed within two years of the vintage on the label.
Vietti wines are imported and distributed by Oak Tree and the Moscato D’ Asti was tasted at Remouage wine shop in Paphos.
Date for your diary
On November 8 (in Limassol) and November 9 (in Nicosia) Spectus is organising in its Cava a Chateau Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe. This is considered one of the most expensive tastings and includes Chateau Ausone 1999, Chateau Angelus 1999 and Chateau Cheval Blanc 1999. The cost for non-members is £70 and £35 for Spectus club members. From 19:30 to 21:30. For more information, tel: 25 341525 or 22 511521.
