As mentioned in our previous review of Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon, the fruit used in Sutter Home Pink Moscato comes from Lodi and Napa.  These areas are some of the best producers in California, and usually produce great wines.  However, in the case of Sutter Home Pink Moscato, we’re not talking about an artisan vinted wine, but rather, mass produced pink wine.  Given how Sutter Home White Zinfandel managed to produce a casually quaffable rosé, can Sutter Home Pink Moscato replicate the feat?

Sight: Pink.  Definitely pink.  A little on the deeper red side.

Smell:  Peach, nectarine, and a hint of slightly artificial red fruit note going on. The nose is sweet, a little bit white grape inspired.  Hints of plum skin or rubber creep around the edges.

Sip:  The mouthfeel is surprisingly a bit fizzy, and thanks to the sugar, very round.  The sweetness is definitely firm, but not quite to overpowering.   Peach and white cranberry cocktail are dominate.  Touches of candied orange and artificial fruit flavors (like candy), come into play.

Savor:  The ending is a little bit like a ripe peach crossed with an orange tic-tac.  The end lays off the sugar fast, and leaves a little bit of withdraw on the end, almost bitterly.

Overall, Sutter Home Pink Moscato has some really odd things going on.  That’s not to say it’s by any means undrinkable, but this might be an end of the night, you’ve run out of wine thing.  Or perhaps a, ‘I need a bottle for camping / the beach’, that isn’t made of glass.    Still, wine quality is continuing to raise dramatically, and even these reasons are slippery with more wineries turning to cans (Looking at you Infinite Monkey Theorem).  Is Sutter Home Pink Moscato drinkable?  Yes.  Would I drink it?  No, no I wouldn’t.

Verdict:  Round, Peach, Artificial Orange and Red Fruit, White Cranberry
Rating: 66
Price:  $6.49 – 750 in 187ml bottles (4)
California