Our Wine Panel Reviews Moscato

For the latest round of our National Retailer Wine Panel reviews, we asked panelists to rate moscato — any style from anywhere in the world.

As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine’s retail price (which can vary from store to store and market to market). Unless noted otherwise, the price reflects a 750-ml. bottle. If you’re a beverage professional with a specialty in wine and you’re interested in participating in the panel, please contact editor Kyle Swartz at kswartz@epgmediallc.com or 203-855-8499 x225.

Rating System

Five Stars (100-92): A top-flight wine, superior in taste and character, and providing a superior price/value ratio.

Advertisement

Four Stars (91-86): A very good wine and an excellent value. A wine for which customers will keep coming back.

Five Stars

(94) Robert Mondavi Moscato D’Oro 2017 (California)

Boldly flavored and perfumed with the aroma of exotic fruits, this is a decadent and satisfying Napa moscato that is second to none. The nose is brimming with sweet, fruity, and floral notes. This wine has a clean, crisp, and bold palate that offers floral notes laced with hints of citrus. Also it has refreshing finish that makes every sip a delight to the senses. ($20.99 for a 375-ml)

Advertisement

(93) Paolo Saracco Moscato d’Asti 2017 (Italy)

Delicate and pleasantly sweet.  Fragrant ripe peach and nectarine with an easy-going spritz. Balanced acidity adds to the appeal. Chill it up and enjoy with light desserts or fresh fruit and mild cheeses. ($18)

(93) Rinaldi Moscato d’Asti 2017 (Italy)

The bouquet is delicate and intense with aromas of fruit and spices. The palate is sweet and smooth with lingering aromatic persistence. A refreshing, well-balanced and pleasant Piedmonte wine. ($19.99)

(93) St. Supéry Estate Moscato 2017 (California)

Beautiful in colors of pale yellow with golden hues, this sweet Napa wine has aromas of mandarin and orange flower blossoms that are complemented by honeysuckle, apricot and tropical fruits. On the palate, there is a nice balance of sweetness and acidity with ripe apricot and mandarin orange zest on the finish. ($24.99)

(93) Bera Moscato d’Asti Piemonte 2017 (Italy)

This classic Piedmontese sparkler is produced by Alessandra Bera using the Charmat method. Fresh and fruity, this dessert-style wine is always best enjoyed very soon after release. Pale yellow with tints of green, lively aromas of fresh grapes, honey, white flowers and orange blossoms. Rich and sweet but rounded by brisk acidity, perfect to accompany fruity desserts, almond cheese cake or smooth cheeses and apricots. ($22.99)

(92) Elio Perrone Sourgal Moscato d’Asti 2018 (Italy)

White peach and apple on the nose, leading into honeysuckle and light spice notes. Very well balanced style with the sweetness not overpowering on the finish. Light hints of candied citrus create a delightful lingering finish. ($18.99)

Four Stars

(91) La Spinetta Biancospino Moscato d’Asti 2018 (Italy)

A wonderful example of Moscato d’Asti! Ripe apple, tangerine, bosc pear and honeysuckle on the nose. On the palate, notes of candied lime, lemon and spiced pear come through. Great acidity at the end to balance the natural sweetness of this wine. ($19.99)

(91) Bartenura Moscato 2018 (Italy)

Inviting semi-sweet aromas and flavors of pear, melon and tangerine. Easy to spot in the blue bottle and easy to enjoy — plus it’s Kosher. ($12)

(91) Marcarini Moscato d’Asti DOCG Piemonte 2016 (Italy)

Pale yellow with soft green reflections. The nose packed full of aromatic, floral and fruity notes with a medium intensity and persistent, light bubbles. This example is pleasantly sweet and fresh due to the low alcohol and acidity, but is still smooth and rich with melon that is typical of the Moscato grape. With a few years on this wine, it brings out the complexities of the persistent and long aromatics on the finish. This dessert wine pairs well with fresh pastries and cakes, the classic panettone cake and all kinds of baked desserts and fruit. ($14.99)

(91) St. Supery Napa Valley Moscato 2017 (California)

Complex” is not often a word to describe Moscato, but this is the exception. Rich flavors of peach and nectarine, surrounded by rich velvety texture and a finish that tells a story at the end, make this a wonderful and unique moscato experience. ($20)

(91) Planeta Moscato di Noto 2016 (Italy)

Pale yellow in color with green reflections. On the nose: rose, white peach, jasmine, green tea and orange. On the palate: dry, well balanced and light. A perfect wine to start or end any evening. Its crisp acidity makes it an ideal match for spicy dishes and sushi. ($21.99)

(90) Marchese dell’Elsa Moscato d’Asti 2017 (Italy)

This Piedmont wine has a soft sweetness and a juicy, bubbly mouthfeel that keeps the flavor going. Peach, with green apple, mix with piercing acidity to lift the strong fruit notes to center stage. ($14)

(90) Sant’Orsola Moscato  d’Asti 2017 (Italy)

Ripe apricots on the nose and pallet are enticing and work well with the lychee and peach notes that are there too. Frizzante and proud of it, this fruit-forward sipper is an approachable fun wine. ($14)

(90) Shinas Estate Sweet Justice 2018 (Australia)

The balance and energy of this Moscato gives it a refreshing quality. Hints of sweet melon fruit and dried apricots surround your palate, while a hint of effervescence causes the wine to dance across your tongue. ($15)

(90) Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Moscato d’ Oro 2015 (California)

Aromas of spice and flavors of peach are intertwined in this luscious dessert wine. The texture is creamy and savory, but there is a floral hint that brightens and gently breaks up the rich sweetness. The very elegant finish makes this a great food pairing for many different desserts. ($16)

(90) Barefoot Moscato NV (California)

Affordable entry into the world of Moscato. Not-too-sweet flavors of peaches and apricots with a touch of citrus on the finish. ($7)

(90) Vietti Cascinetta Moscato d’Asti Piemonte 2017 (Italy)

Pale sunshine yellow in color while presenting a slight frizzante, this Moscato d’Asti has intense aromas of peaches, rose petals and ginger. On the palate, it is delicately sweet and sparkling with balanced acidity, good complexity and a finish of fresh apricots. Perfectly paired with pastry, fruit based and creamy desserts and blue cheeses. ($15.99)

(89) Trinafour,  Dry Muscat, 2013 (California)

A winemaker’s bottling made from the original Muscat Blanc Petits Grains. Enticing florals, with underlying citrus and honey. The florals continue onto the palate delivering a powerful bright and dry Mendocino muscat that begs for sashimi. ($19.99)

(89) Ca Del Re  Moscato d’Asti 2017  (Italy)

Baked yellow apple, peach marmalade, leading to ginger and honey. Floral on the palate with roasted pear on the finish. This has the sweetness you expect, with a good level of acidity to keep it refreshing. ($14.99)

(87) Vietti, Moscato d’Asti “Cascinetta” 2017 (Italy)

Cork-finished, which can prove to be a cheerful opening. Very pretty, floral inviting aromatics with a slight sparkle that leads to peach, pear and apricot flavors that are buoyed by a bright acidity. ($17.99)

(86) Centorri, Moscato di Pavia, 2017 (Italy)

A slightly sparkling Lombardy frizzante that pours out aromas of candied peach gummies and a note of ginger. Low in alcohol and dense in sweetness, this is not for everyone, but those looking for the “sweet life” will adore it. ($12.95)

Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics magazine. Reach him at kswartz@epgmediallc.com or on Twitter @kswartzz or Instagram @cheers_magazine. Read his recent piece 4 Emerging Imported Spirits.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here