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