Quick, think of a sparkling Moscato d’Asti!  If you happen to be like most people, than odds are good that you’ve just thought of Martini & Rossi’s Asti Spumante.  With it’s easily recognizable silver packaging, it’s one of the most widely available Moscatos on the market, and with good reason.  Loaded with sweetness and fruit, it’s easy to drink, and easy on the wallet.  So when Amusánt Bubbly Moscato undercuts it, it’s worth a look to see if they can really deliver two more dollars in value.

Sight: A medium gold with plentiful little bubbles.

Smell:  Peaches roll off the top with hints of green apples.  Apricots and nectarines get in with a little touch of melon.

Sip:  Not as sweet, but still at least a moderate amount of sweetness sneaks in.  There’s a brightness, but it’s a hint rounder than one might think.  There’s a bitter element in here, but lots of stone fruit flavors like peach and nectarine.    The fizziness is fun, and unobtrusive.

Savor:  The ending pulls in some peach skin and lemon pith, with bits of unripe nectarine.

Amusánt Bubbly Moscato is ok, but it’s playing in a space with Martini Asti Spumante.  If not for this detail, it might be a value at $8, but playing against Asti, it gets blown out.  With that said, it’s drinkable, it’s cheap, it’s just not exciting.  Save the money, and skip Amusánt Bubbly Moscato if you see Asti on the shelf.

Verdict:  Peach, Nectarine, Apple, Bitter
Rating: 72
Price: $8
California