Moscato d'Asti: Wine Region, Best Wines (2024)
Curious to discover what makes Moscato d’Asti one of Italy’s most popular wines?
The popularity of this light, aromatic Piedmont wine skyrocketed in the past decade - especially after being praised in pop culture by famous singers like Kanye West and Drake!
This dessert wine is much loved for its delicate taste, creamy texture, and complex aromas. It makes a fun addition to your wine cabinet!
So what makes Moscato d’Asti the ultimate favorite? What’s unique in its winemaking process?
In this article, you’ll find all the answers, including How Moscato D'Asti Is Made and which are the best Moscato d'Asti wines to buy in 2024.
Further reading
- Ace your wine investment game with this insightful guide to Wine Investing!
- Feeling like a delightful red wine? Pair these Spicy Shiraz or Classic Italian Reds with your dinner.
All You Need to Know About Moscato d’Asti
Moscato d’Asti is a semi-sparkling dessert white wine made from the Moscato Bianco grape varietal, also known as Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains. The wine is produced under the Asti DOCG in Piedmont, Northern Italy.
How did it all start?
A Brief History of Moscato d’Asti
Moscato Bianco is one of the oldest grape varietals grown in Italy. The grape is used for making different styles of Moscato wine.
The origins of Moscato d’Asti wine can be traced back to the 14th century in its native Piedmont.
Wine producers made Moscato d’Asti mostly for personal consumption. That’s why this wine was initially perceived as the “winemaker’s wine.”
Because of its low alcohol levels (usually around 5.5% ABV), it was the perfect drink to serve with lunch and as an aperitif after dinner.
However, the modern process of making Moscato d’Asti took shape in the 1870s when winemakers started producing Moscato d’Asti in the frizzante (gently sparkling) style.
That’s when the wine started gaining popularity as a commercial wine.
Further reading:
A festive occasion coming up? Here are the best Champagne bottles to impress your guests!
Meanwhile, pick up a cool orange Mimosa or a tropical Sangria while you read more about Moscato d’Asti!
The "Asti Method" of Winemaking
The Asti method is used primarily to create sweet sparkling wine.
This method helps to preserve the freshness and fruity aromas of the Moscato grape.
Once the grapes are ripe, they’re harvested manually and transported carefully to the vineyard. Then they are gently crushed, so their floral aromas are preserved.
The grape must (freshly pressed grape juice) is kept at temperatures below 0°C to slow down the fermentation process.
Fermentation is usually done using the Charmat-Martinotti method (similar to Prosecco) in pressurized stainless steel tanks.
Once the wine reaches an alcohol content of 5%, the temperature is lowered to freezing levels, so the yeast can’t convert the sugar into alcohol. This way, the wine retains its high residual sugar levels (around 100 grams per liter.)
The byproduct of the fermentation process is carbon dioxide. Part of this carbon dioxide is trapped in the tank, where it creates a slight fizziness. Just like all frizzante wines, Moscato d’Asti is required to have at least 1 atmosphere of pressure.
The Asti Method does not include a secondary fermentation, which is typical for most sparkling wines made according to the traditional method.
In the traditional method, winemakers have to ferment the wine a second time, either in a tank or directly in the bottle. For example, Champagne (which is usually made with Chardonnay grapes) goes through secondary fermentation in the bottle, and that’s when the wine becomes bubbly.
Another famous wine that goes through the Asti winemaking method is Asti Spumante.
Further reading:
Best red wine? We handpicked the best Malbecs, sought-after Zinfandels, Châteauneuf du Pape wines, and Barbera wines for you!
But how is Asti Spumante different from Moscato d’Asti?
There are a couple of key differences.
Compared to Moscato d’Asti, Asti Spumante is:
- Fully sparkling (a minimum of 5 atmospheres)
- Much drier
- Has a higher alcohol content (around 9% ABV)
Also read: For the best white wine, check out these crisp Sauvignon Blancs and amazing Rieslings. Check out these popular Rose wines too!
The Asti Wine Region
The Asti region is located in the Piedmont appellation. It has a mild climate influenced by the Meditteranean sea with warm winters and cool summers.
The terroir is mostly made of limestone, clay, sands, and calcareous sediments. Another very popular Piemontese wine is the red wine Barolo.
Moscato d’Asti Taste and How to Serve It
A sip of Moscato d’Asti will take you on an exciting journey of flavors - usually tangerine, tropical fruits, peaches, and stone fruits!
The effervescence will tone down the sweetness and bring out fresh fruit tasting notes.
Serve Moscato d’Asti chilled (4-10 °C) in a white wine glass or tulip-shaped glass along with spicy foods like Thai chicken or salty snacks like cured meats, blue cheese, or nuts. These savory flavors will balance out the sweetness.
Read more: Want to gift the best of the best? Chianti wine might just be your ideal one!
How Does Moscato d’Asti Age?
Moscato d’Asti is best enjoyed young because the aromas are still fresh and the taste - vibrant. So, generally, you should aim for more recent vintages.
However, if stored well, Moscato d’Asti wines can age for nearly five years.
Moscato d’Asti develops a more complex bouquet of aromas and a deep golden color in a few years.
A few wines like Ca' d'Gal Vigna Vecchia, which age well, retain the Muscat grape freshness and crisp taste up to 10 years after bottling.
So, which are the best Moscato d’Asti wines you should buy in 2024?
The Best Moscato d’Asti Wines to Buy in 2024 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)
1. Ca' d'Gal Vigna Vecchia 2011
This gentle wine with slight acidity brings out a diverse palette of aromatic flavors. You’ll first taste fresh apricots, apples, and honey, followed by tropical fruit tasting notes with a long-lasting finish of minerality and salt.
Price of Ca' d'Gal Vigna Vecchia 2011: $89
2. Michele Chiarlo Nivole 2016
This crisp Moscato d’Asti is the perfect aperitif wine. It’s sweet, light, and aromatic with a flavourful variety of peach, pear, and orange blossom tasting notes.
Price of Michele Chiarlo Nivole 2016: $30
3. Contratto De Miranda 2013
This Moscato d’Asti stands out with a higher-than-usual alcohol level of 7.5%, which is well-balanced with its slight fizziness and low acidity levels. You’ll love the flavors of pineapple, lychee, apricot, and a sweet honey aftertaste.
Price of Contratto De Miranda 2013: $61
4. Elio Perrone Sourgal 2015
Here’s a perfect combination of fizzy sweetness and a soft creamy texture. Honeysuckle aromas with elderflower, peach, and honey tasting notes make this wine truly unique.
Price of Elio Perrone Sourgal 2015: $30
5. Ca' d'Gal Sant'Ilario 2015
The 2015 vintage of this Moscato d’Asti has preserved and amplified its rich floral aroma and changed its color to a deep honey-golden hue. The fruity aromas of grapefruit, peach, and pear make it the perfect drink to accompany decadent cheese platters, or you can serve it as an aperitif.
Price of Ca' d'Gal Sant'Ilario 2015: $37
6. Elvio Cogno Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2016
This Moscato d’Asti has a silky texture and a delightful aromatic mix of flavors. Every sip brings a delicate yet intense aroma of lychee and pear flavors with dominating honey and herb aromas.
Price of Elvio Cogno Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2016: $30
7. Risata Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2018
This fresh and elegant Italian wine has the perfect balance of pleasant sweetness with a gentle fizz and bright fruit flavors. The bouquet of flavors includes honey, tangerine, and ripe stone fruit with a slight mineral aftertaste on the palate.
Price of Risata Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2018: $17
8. Rinaldi Vini Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2017
This is a great Moscato d’Asti with an alcohol content of 6%, modest acidity, and fine effervescence. It has a unique combination of flavors like white peach, apple, and slight chocolate tasting notes.
Price of Rinaldi Vini Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2017: $19
9. Rizzi Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2016
This sweet wine is soft and yet slightly crisp with dominant floral notes. The flavors vary from raisin and apricot to strawberry, cherry, and orange peel.
Price of Rizzi Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2016: $21
10. Pio Cesare Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2015
This easy to drink Moscato d’Asti is produced by Pio Cesare, one of the oldest vineyards in the Piedmont region. The wine has a dominant stone fruit flavor with a rich aroma of tropical fruits and honey tasting notes.
Price of Pio Cesare Moscato d'Asti DOCG 2015: $32
All these Moscato dAsti wines are early drinking wines - perfect to be enjoyed on a warm summer day or at a casual gathering.
But, if you’re considering investing in wines for the long haul, they might not be the right options.
Instead, you can easily invest in other valuable, age-worthy Italian wines like an exquisite Tignanello or an Amarone della Valpolicella. (While drinking your Kir Royale or any other Champagne cocktail!)
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Start Building Your Wine Collection Today!
Moscato d’Asti’s rich, vibrant flavors and smooth sweet taste make it one of the most loved Italian wines!
However, this wine is not a good option if you’re looking to invest in wine for the long run.
Instead, you can build a wine collection through the Vinovest platform, where you’ll find the rarest and finest wines in the world!
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