While Asti Spumante is generally the well known sparkling version of moscato, and as numerous producers elbow into the still moscato market, there is a third, somewhat lesser known sub-classification of moscato out there.  That is of course, Moscato d’Asti.  Produced by a small number of Piedmontese growers, this not quite sparkling wine is limited to 5.5% alcohol and designed to be consumed as soon as possible.  While Moscato d’Asti is similar to it’s Spumante (Sparkling!) cousin in that it’s loaded with fruit flavors and some residual sugar, it differs in that it tends to be more delicate in it’s flavors, has less a touch less sweetness, and is meant to be consumed from regular wine glasses, not flutes.

While not many wines are brave enough to come with calorie counts, Luccio Moscato d’Asti 2014 does.  Now that you know it’s 190 calories per 8 oz serving, is it still worth the calories to drink it?

Sight:  Light, almost watery on the edges, leaning pale gold in the core.  Numerous small bubbles are present.

Smell:  A slight amount of musk is present, leaning toward yeasty.  There are tons of ripe fruits leaping off the top ranging from juicy peaches to apricots to coconut.  A drizzle of honey joins in to round it out.

Sip:  Slightly fizzy, and thick on the palate thanks to the sugar, Luccio Moscato d’Asti starts off with plenty of honey and peaches.  The acidity is slightly soft,  but flavors of pineapple, mead, apricot, and nectarine all join in.

Savor: The ending is brief, and hints at sweet stone fruit.

Luccio Moscato d’Asti is packed with sweetness, stone fruit, and honey.  The flavors don’t disappoint with bomb after bomb of fruit leading to a slightly muddled nature due to so much going on simultaneously.  Despite this,  it doesn’t detract from the experience.  While the acidity is a little light, this is a great choice for something to just sit and sip, or have with a lighter dessert (although it would probably not do well with chocolate).  All things consider, Luccio Moscato d’Asti represents phenomenal value, and fans of moscato should take note and try it.

Verdict:  Stonefruit, Sweet, Round, Honey
Price: $10
Asti, Italy, DOCG