Moscato can get an (undeserved!) bad rap. Though it's available in semi-sweet and dry varieties, haters often dismiss the sparkling wine as too sugary. Well, guess what? They don't know what they're missing out on. The right bottle of Moscato has a refreshingly light and fruity taste, the kind of wine that's prefect for sipping at brunch or as an after-dinner treat. And this type of good Moscato isn't necessarily expensive, if you know where to look.
Moscato wines are produced in Italy with Muscat grapes. There are over 200 varieties of the grape, which means the wine can vary greatly. It's known for its sweet and perfume-y flavors due to the high residual sugar and low acidity in the Muscat grapes. Take a sip and you'll likely pick up flavors of peach, apricot, citrus, rose petal, and elderflower.
You'll always want to serve Moscato chilled so that its sweetness is softened, and the notes of the different fruits come through. You might want to pair the wine with foods that are spicy, sour, salty, or bitter, as the sweetness of Moscato will provide a pleasant contrast. Think spicy chicken wings, cured meats like prosciutto and salami, salty peanuts, crudites, and strong cheeses.
If you're looking for bubbly brands to turn a Moscato hater into a Moscato lover, here are our favorite bottles of the Italian wine, perfect to serve at your next brunch, springtime soiree, or general get-together.
For a solid pick under $10, go for this Sutter Home bottle. There are plenty of Moscatos in that price range, but none with this bottle's balanced acidity and sweet taste.
With a relatively high ABV of 18 percent (!), it's safe to say this mango-flavored Moscato is the wine you bring to the party when you want to have a good time.
This black Muscat really embodies how diverse this varietal can be. Aside from its deep red color and aromatic notes of pineapple and apple, the wine still has the signature Moscato bubbly sweetness.
Crisp and light with a relatively low ABV, this spritzy wine was made for day drinking.
Katie BourqueAs an Editorial Fellow for Good Housekeeping, Katie covers health, beauty, home, and pop culture.
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