Just had to do a Sunday Express column on Moscato, which gave me a chance to try a few different ones. I’ve included Muscat here, as well as what we normally think of as Moscato – a light, fizzy, sweet and rather delicious wine that offers simple joy.
Curatolo Arini Zibibbo 2011 Sicily, Italy
12.5% alcohol. Zibibbo is the Sicilian name for the Muscat grape variety, and this is a really fantastic dry white, showing that this grape doesn’t just have a talent for sweet wines. It’s from the west of the island, and has some pithy terpenic notes, but also flavours of grapes, herbs, spice and orange peel with a hint of mintiness and a lovely texture. 90/100 (£ 17.99 Philglas & Swiggot here, Vallebona here, Buon Vino here, Shills of Station Street here, The Fine Wine Company here)
Contero Moscato d’Asti di Strevi DOCG 2012 Piedmont, Italy
5.5% alcohol. Moscato is meant to be fun, and this is a fun wine, but it’s a more serious expression of Moscato, too, with sweet, pure pear and grape notes, lovely freshness and great balance. Sweet and fizzy, but a little more grown up than some. 89/100 (£13.99 Highbury Vintners here, TheDrinkShop.com here)
GD Vajra Moscato d’Asti 2012 Piedmont, Italy
5.5% alcohol. This is brilliant, and worth the premium price. Grapey and luscious but with good balance and some subtle herby notes. Really lovely example of Moscato at its best. 90/100 (£14.99 Lea & Sandeman here, The Wine Reserve here, Wine Direct here)
Donnafugata ‘Ben Rye’ Passito di Pantelleria 2010 Sicily, Italy
14.5% alcohol. Is this the world’s greatest Muscat? It’s made from grapes that have been dried in the sun, and is a beautiful orange/bronze colour. The flavours are remarkable, spanning raisins, apricots, spice and honey, as well as wax and herbs. Super-concentrated and very sweet. An amazing wine. 94/100 (£35.99 for 37.5cl Hedonism Wines here, Field & Fawcett here, Eclectic Tastes here)
sadly neither of the moscato are available here in the southern colonies which is a damn shame.
One of life’s little pleasures is a half bottle of moscato drunk with zabaglione made with the other half bottle. Chuck in some biscotti and grilled figs and you have baby Jesus in velvet pantaloons
Moscato has suddenly become very popular with the 20-30 year olds. Something to do with Hip Pop artists such as Kanye and Drake singing about it in their lyrics.