Wine 101- The Fascinating Moscato

Explore the captivating journey of Moscato, a white wine sensation that has taken the world by storm, even earning a nod from hip-hop royalty like Drake. Discover the origins, flavors, and the unexpected cultural influence that has propelled Moscato to the forefront of the American wine scene.

Moscato’s Allure

• Hailing from Italy, Moscato has surged in popularity, embraced by enthusiasts and even finding a place in Drake’s lyrics.
• Renowned for its sweetness, low alcohol content, and easy-drinking nature, Moscato shines both on its own and as a delightful aperitif.
• Traditionally a dessert wine, Moscato boasts a subtle fizz and delectable flavors of nectarine, peach, and orange.

Piedmont’s Gift

• Born in the prestigious Italian region of Piedmont, Moscato shares its roots with the renowned Barolo wine.
• Crafted from the Muscat grape, also enjoyed as a table grape and for raisin production, Moscato’s high sugar content allows it to be savored in its pure fruit form.

Hip-Hop’s Influence

• Unlike typical wine marketing, Moscato’s widespread success in the American market can be attributed to its adoption by hip-hop culture.
• Popularized by artists like Drake, Moscato has become the fastest-growing wine in the U.S., boasting a remarkable 25 percent annual growth over the past three years.

Moscato and Spice

• Moscato’s versatility extends to pairing, excelling with spicy dishes akin to Riesling, a favorite of Kanye West.
• The wine’s sweetness harmonizes with the heat of dishes like General Tso’s, creating a delightful culinary experience.

10 Facts about Moscato

1. Moscato is a white wine originating from Italy, gaining recent popularity propelled by hip-hop culture.
2. Drake referenced Moscato in his 2009 lyrics, contributing to the wine’s rise in prominence.
3. Known for its sweetness and low alcohol content, Moscato is favored for solo sipping and as an aperitif.
4. Piedmont, Italy, the birthplace of Moscato, is renowned for both this white wine and the famous Barolo.
5. Moscato is crafted from the Muscat grape, utilized not only for winemaking but also as a table grape and for raisin production.
6. The grape’s high sugar content contributes to Moscato’s natural sweetness, enhancing its appeal.
7. Hip-hop culture, particularly through artists like Drake, played a pivotal role in Moscato’s widespread acceptance.
8. Moscato holds the title of the fastest-growing wine in the American market, with a consistent 25 percent annual growth.
9. Similar to Riesling, Moscato pairs exceptionally well with spicy foods, creating a harmonious balance of sweetness and heat.
10. Lil’ Kim’s reference to sipping Moscato in Brazil adds to the wine’s cultural significance in hip-hop.

Since you made it here…Interesting Wines to try

2019 Bouchaine Hyde Vineyard Merlot Carneros – Napa Valley

• The legendary Hyde Vineyard unveils a brilliantly structured Merlot
• Ripe tannins dominate, yet irresistibly approachable in its early evolution
• Sarsaparilla, cola spice, and cigar humidor dance with black licorice
• Layers of plum sauce, blackberries, cassis, and black raspberries unfold
• Scrubby herbs emerge with perky acidity, keeping the experience lively
• Immerse yourself in the world of wine with Hyde Vineyard’s masterpiece
• Elevate your tasting experience with this captivating Merlot

2019 Chappellet Merlot Napa Valley

• Inky richness, bursting with toasty cacao, espresso, and grilled vanilla
• Silky mouthfeel framed by sweet, integrating tannins
• Spiced plums, cassis, and bright acidity lingering through a blueberry-kissed finish

2019 Cuvaison Arcilla Merlot Los Carneros – Napa Valley

• Pure evocation of strawberries with evolving tea-like tannins
• Flavors of blackberry, black raspberry, and smashed blueberry
• Notably savory with hints of carob, mineral, black licorice, and plum sauce layers

2019 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley

• A beautiful expression with sweet tannins and well-integrated oak spicing
• Hoisin sauce, cassis, violets, and candied orange peels
• Sandalwood, floral peppercorns, espresso beans, warm vanilla, and loam

2019 L’Ecole No. 41 Merlot Walla Walla Valley, Washington

• Estate-grown brilliance structured for mid-term aging
• Ripe red berry fruit and cherries finding counterpoints in dusty tannins and carob
• Minerality pulsing through each sip, delivering a brilliant wine experience

2019 La Jota Vineyard Co. Howell Mountain Estate MerlotNapa Valley

• A classic effort from winemaker Chris Carpenter with astounding mountain-grown grapes
• Age-worthy tannins allowing notes of licorice, granite, cacao nibs, and well-steeped tea to shine
• Cardamom and violets lingering through the long, elegant finish

2020 Macari Vineyards Merlot North Fork of Long Island

• A spicy and fascinating expression, dominated by crushed peppercorns
• Remarkably translucent, revealing red cherries, raspberries, and toasted fennel seeds with oak spice

2018 Meeker Winemakers’ Handprint Collection Merlot Sonoma County

• Lifted and well-delineated, expressive of black raspberries, ripe cherries, and goji berries
• Loamy earthiness, sarsaparilla-dusted tannins, and a bay-leaf note creating an intriguing wine experience
• Elegant yet powerful, structured for cellaring or enjoying now with grilled meat

2019 Mt. Brave Merlot Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley

• Toasty, rich, and brooding, a wine rewarding patience
• Notes of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, cassis, purple plums, and cardamom promising complexity
• Impressive balance and structure with graphite-like tannins and singed laurel nuances

2019 Northstar Premier Merlot Columbia Valley, Washington

• Velvety texture, ripe with a counterbalancing punch of acidity
• Crushed blackberries and mulberries, vanilla, clove, and toasty oak through the finish
• A stellar example of what the wine variety does best in the Columbia Valley

2019 PlumpJack Estate Winery Merlot Napa Valley

• A toasty, modern, crowd-pleasing beauty with rich, chocolatey notes
• Plums, blackberries, and cassis lifted by candied violets
• Aging potential of five to seven years, but delightful fruitiness makes it enjoyable now

2019 Ridge Vineyards Estate Merlot Santa Cruz Mountains

• Shining with the character of the venerable Monte Bello Vineyard
• Cedar, incense, brambly berries, elegant balance, and beautifully calibrated acidity
• Promising another ten to fifteen years of life ahead

2019 Rutherford Hill Winery Merlot Napa Valley

• Silky and herbaceous, less fruit-forward than typical Napa Merlot
• Layers of black and red raspberries, cherries, and chocolate with lively mineral finish
• A solid value delivering a unique wine experience for less than $30

2019 Seavey MerlotNapa Valley

• Estate-grown Merlot marked by toasty oak, cafe mocha notes, and woodsy spices
• Silky tannins, density, and underlying pulse of minerality providing real energy
• A captivating wine experience with impressive aging potential

2020 Seven Hills Winery Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Walla Walla Valley, Washington

• Fruit-forward Merlot from a vineyard planted in the early-1980s
• Underlying bergamot note with nuances of sage, oregano, and cracked peppercorns
• Sweet tannins lingering through flavors of red and purple plums and huckleberries

2018 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery Rutherford Estate Vineyards MerlotNapa Valley

• Rich, chocolatey aromas of hoisin sauce and spiced blackberry liqueur
• Balanced acidity with minerality, hint of dried herbs, and fantastic kirsch finish

2019 Vérité La Muse

• One of the most intriguing and appealing new-release Merlots
• A balance of perfume and depth with red currants, raspberries, cherries, plums, graphite, and hints of tobacco and sandalwood

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