- Last updated on March 20, 2023
Our Best Moscato Selection
- Best Overall: Ruffino Moscato d'Asti
- Best Dessert: Elio Perrone Sourgal Moscato d'Asti 2020
- Best Aperitif: Castello del Poggio Moscato d'Asti
- Best Party: Tenimenti Ca'Bianca Moscato d'Asti 2020
- Best with Cheese: Bartenura Moscato d'Asti
- Best Fortified: Domaine Boudau Muscat de Rivesaltes
- Best Dry Muscat: Trimbach Muscat Alsace Réserve
- Best under $10: Barefoot Moscato
- Best Pink Moscato under $10: Barefoot Pink Moscato
- Best under $15: Stella Rosa Moscato d'Asti
10 Best Moscato Reviewed
Find below the reviews for our wine selection of the 10 Best Moscato so that you have all the info you need to pick what’s best for you.
Vivino’s tips: Featured in Vivino’s 2020 Wine Style Awards: Italian Moscato d’Asti (2017 Vintage)
Region: Italy, Toscana
Tasting notes: Apple, Pineapple, Grapefruit
Ruffino Moscato d’Asti is a refreshing and delightful wine that is perfect for those who enjoy a sweeter wine.
It has a delicate aroma of peach and apricot, with a hint of honey and floral notes, and it is light and effervescent on the palate, with flavors of ripe peaches, apricots, and a hint of honey.
This wine is a great choice for a summer day or as an aperitif, and it pairs well with light and refreshing dishes, spicy dishes, cheese plates, and charcuterie boards.
If you’re looking for a sweet and refreshing wine to enjoy on a warm day, Ruffino Moscato d’Asti is definitely worth trying.
Read our full review here.
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Yellow Peach, Orange, Honey, Acacia Flowers
Elio Perrone Sourgal Moscato d’Asti is a refreshing and charming sparkling wine that is perfect for any occasion.
Its delicate sweetness and lively acidity make it a versatile wine that can be enjoyed with a wide range of dishes.
This wine is a true representation of the quality and craftsmanship of the Moscato Bianco grape variety and the winemaking traditions of the Asti region.
It is a must-try for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted sparkling wine.
Read our full review here.
Vivino’s tips: Featured in Vivino’s 2017 Wine Style Awards: Italian Moscato d’Asti (2015 Vintage)
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Peach, Pear, Honey, Honeysuckle
Castello del Poggio Moscato d’Asti is a delightful sweet and refreshing wine that is perfect for any occasion.
Its floral and fruity aromas, balanced sweetness, and refreshing acidity make it a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of foods.
Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a dessert, this Moscato d’Asti is sure to please any wine lover.
Read our full review here.
Vivino’s tips: Among top 2% of all wines in the world
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Apple, Pear, Honey, Jasmine
Tenimenti Ca’Bianca Moscato d’Asti is a delightful and refreshing wine that represents the best of the Moscato Bianco grape grown in the Asti region of Piemonte, Italy.
Its delicate and aromatic qualities, as well as its low alcohol content, make it an ideal choice for any occasion, from brunch to dessert.
This wine is a testament to the quality of the grapes and the expertise of the winemaker, and it is sure to please anyone looking for a sweet and refreshing wine.
Read our full review here.
Vivino’s tips: Featured in Vivino’s 2018 Wine Style Awards: Northern Italy White (2015 Vintage)
Region: Italy, Lombardia
Tasting notes: Peach, Apricot, Citrus, Honeysuckle
Region: France, Languedoc-Roussillon
Tasting notes: Apricot, Nectarine, Citrus, Honeycomb
Domaine Boudau Muscat de Rivesaltes is a delicious sweet wine that is perfect for any occasion.
Its complex aromas and flavors are a testament to the quality of the Muscat grapes and the skill of the winemaker.
This wine is a perfect example of how Southern France can produce world-class sweet wines, and Domaine Boudau is one of the most renowned wineries in the region.
This sweet wine is a true gem that should not be missed and is a must-try for any sweet wine enthusiast.
Read our full review here.
Region: France, Alsace
Tasting notes: Pear, Tropical Fruit, Vanilla.
Trimbach Muscat Alsace Réserve is a delightful white wine that showcases the unique characteristics of Muscat grapes.
This wine is a testament to the Trimbach family’s expertise and dedication to producing high-quality wines.
It has a bright, refreshing character with a complex aroma and flavor profile that make it an excellent wine for pairing with a variety of dishes.
This wine is perfect for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted, aromatic wine that is both refreshing and satisfying.
Read our full review here.
Region: United States, California
Tasting notes: Citrus, Peach, Ripe Apricot
Barefoot Moscato is a sweet and refreshing white wine that is a great choice for those who enjoy a sweeter wine.
It has bright and lively fruity aromas and flavors, along with a crisp acidity that makes it easy to drink.
This wine is affordable and widely available, and is a great choice for casual occasions or as a refreshing summer sipper.
Read our full review here.
Region: United States, California
Tasting notes: Strawberry, Raspberry, Citrus, Orange, Jasmine.
Barefoot Pink Moscato is a sweet and fruity wine that is perfect for those who enjoy a light and refreshing drink.
With its bright pink color and deliciously sweet flavors of fresh berries and ripe peaches, this wine is a fun and playful choice for any occasion.
Whether you’re enjoying it on its own or pairing it with a light dish, Barefoot Pink Moscato is sure to please.
Read our full review here.
Region: Italy, Piemonte
Tasting notes: Peach, Pear, Honey, Honeysuckle.
Stella Rosa Moscato d’Asti is a delightful sparkling wine that is perfect for any occasion.
It is a true representation of the Piedmont region’s winemaking traditions, with its delicate, floral aromas and refreshing sweetness.
The wine’s crisp acidity and smooth texture make it a perfect accompaniment to a variety of foods, or it can be enjoyed on its own as a refreshing aperitif.
It’s a great option for those who prefer a sweeter wine, and a must-try for anyone looking to explore the world of Moscato wines.
Buying Guide to Moscato
It’s not just about which Moscato you should buy.
There are other important aspects like how to serve it, food pairings, and much more.
The below buying guide will give you a detailed overview on all these topics.
Moscato Overview
Here you find an overview on where Moscato and Moscato d’Asti dessert wine style is most commonly planted.
Grape
Muscat Blanc
ABV
5.5%
Main Regions
Italy: Piemonte
Other Regions
Italy
USA
Grape
Muscat Blanc
ABV
5.5%
Main Regions
Italy: Piemonte
Other Regions
Italy
USA
Moscato Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Moscato and Moscato d’Asti dessert wine style.
Color
Deep Lemon
Nose
Floral
Honeysuckle
Ripe Pear
Palate
Sweet
Light Bubbles
Ripe Pear, Lemon
Medium-High Acidity
Light Body
Color
Deep Lemon
Nose
Floral
Honeysuckle
Ripe Pear
Palate
Sweet
Light Bubbles
Ripe Pear, Lemon
Medium-High Acidity
Light Body
Moscato Food Pairings
These are some food pairing suggestions for Moscato and Moscato d’Asti dessert wine style. It pairs particularly well with spicy Asian food.
Appetizer
Salami, Figs, Melon
Meat
Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian dishes
Fish
Clams
Oyster
Cheese & Dessert
Medium (Cheddar)
Firm (Parmigiano)
Fruit Tart, Sponge Cake, Panettone, Dried Fruit
Appetizer
Salami, Figs, Melon
Meat
Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian dishes
Fish
Clams
Oyster
Cheese & Dessert
Medium (Cheddar)
Firm (Parmigiano)
Fruit Tart
Sponge Cake
Panettone
Dried Fruit
Serve and Store Moscato
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store Moscato and Moscato d’Asti dessert wine style.
Decant
Nope
Glass
Flûte
Viognier
Serve at
43 - 46 °F
6 - 8 °C
Store for
Up to 1.5 year
Decant
Nope
Glass
Flûte
Viognier
Serve at
43 - 46 °F
6 - 8 °C
Store for
Up to 1.5 year
What are the other Moscato styles?
There are at least other three Moscato styles you should be aware of.
Below we are going to take a quick look at them so that you know what to expect and what to do with them.
Pink Moscato
It is similar to the Moscato dessert styles we have discussed above.
The main difference is that it is blended with a red grape, usually Merlot, which adds strawberry notes.
It pairs well with corn salsa, tortilla chips, grilled crab cakes, spicy pork for example.
Muscat de Rivesaltes -Vin Doux Naturel
This is a fortified wine, produced in a similar fashion to Port wine, with an ABV of at least 15%.
It’s very sweet, with a long finish and typical flavors of ripe apricot, yellow greengages.
It pairs well with foie gras, Roquefort cheese, fruit tart, and chocolate for example.
Dry Muscat
This is a dry wine version of Moscato, as opposed to the sweet wines we have seen above.
Typical flavors are grapefruit, tangerine, white flowers, and apple skin for example.
It pairs well with pâté, pad-Thai, white meat, whitefish, and wash-rind cheese like Munster.
Our Verdict
Moscato, in its dessert style, is known for its low alcohol content, sweetness, light bubbles (“frizzante” in Italian). Typical notes are pear, peach, honey, and honeysuckle.
What to do next?
Be sure to serve your Moscato at the right temperature.
Read our wine tasting guide to enhance your tasting experience and taste like the pro!
Alternatively, why don’t you check out our guides on Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio vs Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay?
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Moscato.
What does Moscato mean?
Moscato comes from the Latin “muscum”, i.e. musky. The name was used to indicate it earthy musky aroma.
What is Moscato history?
Where does Muscat Blanc grow best?
Muscat Blanc grows best in cooler regions on limestone and sandstone soil, which helps the grape to develop its typical flavors.
When is the perfect time to drink Moscato?
Back in the day, Moscato d’Asti was used as a digestif at the end of each meal. It’s soo light, fresh, sweet, and delicate that I’d have a glass of it every day.
Is Moscato sweet?
As we have seen above, there are three sweet styles and one dry.
The sweetness level of a wine is expressed in grams of sugar per liter, aka g/L, or as a percentage.
A dry wine contains less than 15 g/L. A sweet wine contains between 50-100 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
What does the acronym DOCG mean?
DOCG stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. It’s the highest classification in Italy.
Every DOCG wine is tested before bottling by a committee of licensed judges which guarantee the quality of the wine.
Other common classifications are DO, IGT, and DOC. [1]
When is the International Moscato day?
The International Moscato day it’s the 9th of May.
Why is Moscato so popular in the US?
Because it’s very good I’d be tempted to say 😊!
It seems Moscato is very popular amongst Millennials.
Trey Songz, a popular Hip Hop singer, referenced Moscato in his song “I Invented Sex”, which has probably pushed its popularity through the roof.[2]
What’s Moscato's typical price range?
Moscato is an affordable wine. You’ll find good bottles of Moscato at around $10 – $20.
