Continuing through Piedmont on our journey of Italian wines, we’ll look at Moscato. While most of the best wines are red in this region, like Barbera, Dolcetto, and Barbaresco; Asti and Moscato d’Asti provide notable exception to this. The wines from these two regions are made from, you guessed it, Moscato.
Asti and Moscato d’Asti
There are two distinct areas within Piedmont that make Moscato. The less prestigious of these two regions is Asti, while the more regal Moscato d’Asti holds greater largess. Not to say either of these wines produces bad wine; to the contrary, they both produce some of the most well loved and delicious wines on the planet. These beautiful wines are loaded with ripe fruits, like peaches and apricots, and balanced in their sweetness. Better yet, they typically are affordable (especially those labeled just Asti), and won’t put you down for the count as fast as normal still wines (thanks to an ABV closer to 7-9%).
What makes Moscato d’Asti so much more special? This region produces wines in tiny batches of muscat blanc à petit grains grapes. These are light, sweet, and incredibly fruity. By law, it can’t be more than 5.5% ABV.
A few other important notes on Asti and Moscato d’Asti
- Asti is considered Spumante (Foaming), and as such comes with a wire enclosure that holds in a sparkling cork. Follow your traditional method to open a Sparkling Wine
- Moscato d’Asti is considered Frizzante (Fizzy) and uses a normal cork. As such, a corkscrew, such as this pretty example from Belted Bull, can be used (which is what I used to open this!).
Rinaldi Moscato d’Asti 2014
Sometimes you buy a bottle because it has a pretty label. Other times you buy a bottle because it reminds you of an inside joke. In the case of Rinaldi Moscato d’Asti, I buy it because it shares my last name. That aside, I also know they make fantastic wines, having enjoyed their offerings in the past.
Sight: A beautiful straw color with hints of small bubbles.
Smell: Loaded with fruits and flowers, it ranges from peaches drenched in fresh simple syrup to candied oranges to coconut tossed in powdered sugar. Pops of orange blossom join in.
Sip: A wave of gently balanced sweetness pours across the palate with lively notes of ripe oranges and peaches. Elements of nectarines, clementines, orange blossom, and candied orange peel all add to the refreshing mix. Hints of honey, honeysuckle, and lychee all add more flavors to the cacophony of fruit mixed with tiny bubbles.
Savor: The ending is full of orange blossom and finishes cleanly and crisply.
Rinaldi Moscato d’Asti is simply splendid. For fans of the sweet wines, it offers a dizzy array of fruits tinged with sweetness. The light fizziness and a well-balanced acidity make for a simple, unbelievably easy to drink sparkling. When it comes Moscato d’Asti, Rinaldi Moscato d’Asti is a must try.
Verdict: Candied Orange, Ripe Peach, Nectarine, Orange, Floral
Rating: 94
Price: $17
Piedmont, Italy
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