CARPE TRAVEL WINE 101:
GET TO KNOW THE GRAPES
Muscat (muh·skat), called Moscato in Italy and Moscatel in Spain and Portugal is a storied grape found all over the world.
While this highly aromatic white grape thrives in warm Mediterranean climates, some of its most notable expressions were born in cooler climates, like Northern Italy’s Piedmont region, France’s Alsace, and parts of Germany. Today top expressions come from Italy, Spain, and France.
Fun Fact
Believed to be indigenous to the Middle East, Muscat is possibly the oldest known grape varietal dating back to ancient Greece.
Despite its many styles and resting places, the Muscat grape’s claim to fame may well be that it consistently and definitively tastes and smells of grape in all its forms – dry to sweet, sparkling to dessert wine.
While styles and variations are plenty, consistent flavors include tropical fruits like tangerine, mango, lychee, jasmine, beach rose, orange blossom, zesty orange, and sweeter spices.
Muscat wines show up in various styles the world over, with the most popular being sweet fortified, sparkling frizzante, and dry versions.
Muscat Wine Pairing
A sweet, fruity wine, Muscat works well with spicy, sour, salty, and bitter foods as well as desserts.
Be mindful of the sweetness level of your Muscat wine. It handles spice well, so Asian and lighter Indian dishes work great. Also, enjoy with salads and grilled seafood.
Moscato d’Asti makes for a great brunch wine, pairing beautifully with salty, spicy foods – and, don’t forget that it is generally about 5.5% alcohol by volume, even better for your your morning events.
Practical Tips For Drinking Muscat Wine
Glassware: Traditional white wine glass.
Shelf life: Drink frizzante and still wines younger. Fortified dessert wines can be held 10+ years.
When is the Right Mood for Muscat Wine?
Looking for recommendations on Muscat wines? Here are a few we suggest you sip.
Valerie Quintanilla
Carpe Travel collaborated with Valerie Quintanilla to compile the grape varietal overviews. Valerie and her son Il Ragazzino reside in Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, by way of Denver, Colo. She runs a custom Italian travel planning business while moonlighting as a marketing consultant for European wine and travel companies. She has been featured in Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine Magazine, Open Skies (Emirate Airlines inflight magazine), and more. Follow her expat and wine chronicles here https://linktr.ee/valeriekq.
Valerie Quintanilla is an American expat in Alba, Italy. Val was an original Carpe Travel contributor before packing up her American life to chase her Italian dreams.
Today she runs a custom travel / wine tour planning business while moonlighting as a marketing consultant for wine and travel business in Europe. She has been featured in Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine Magazine, Open Skies (Emirate Airlines inflight magazine), and more.