There are wide varieties of wines in the world. Different types of wines provide different flavors, a different degree of sweetness or dryness, and aromas. Moscato (pronounced as mo-skah-toh) wine is a variation of the regular wine that is recently on the rise and gaining popularity nowadays. Moscato is a sweeter, fruitier, and lighter version of wine with a lower alcohol concentration. This wine is a perfect choice for both wine newbies as well as experienced wine-lovers.
It is an Italian wine produced using Muscat grapes. Moscato grapes are called Moscatel in Spain and Muscat in many other places in the world. Moscato grapes are a few of the oldest grapes used in the world for wine-making. Moscato grapes grow the best in hot or warm climates such as the Mediterranean climate.
Moscato grapes tend to have a high content of sugar. After the process of fermentation, it gives a wine that is low on alcohol and high in sugar. It can range from off-dry to very sweet, as the sweetness also depends on the manufacturer. Wines are usually named after the type of grape that is used or the region they belong to.
There are many variations in Moscato, but all of them are made using Muscat grapes. The alcohol content of Moscato is around 5-7 % only. Usually, red wine has an alcohol content of around 10-12 %. Due to the low content of alcohol, the Moscato is great for sipping casually or for brunch time. It will not disrupt your day plans.
The variations of Moscato include Red Moscato, pink Moscato, Asti spumante, Moscato d’ Asti, Still Moscato, and Dessert Moscato.
What is Red Moscato Made Of?
Red Moscato is made of orange and black Muscat grapes. It is made of the light pulp present inside the grape. Red Moscato is the perfect amalgamation of the qualities of red and white wine.
Food Pairing With Red Moscato
All Moscatos share the fruity and sweet flavor. It is great for light drinkers, too. One bottle of Moscato can always be kept at home for occasions and guests. It can be paired with a variety of food items. Red Moscato can be paired well with
· Barbeque fare
· Soft cheese
· Spicy food
· Rich desserts
· Different kinds of Fish
Moscato On The Wine Sweetness Scale
The sweetness of any wine is determined by many factors. This is not only done by assessing the sweetness but also by assessing the amount of alcohol, acidity, and tannins present in the wine. A wine sweetness scale gives a general idea of where each kind of wine stands in terms of sweetness or dryness. White wine is drier and has more aroma than red wines.
The wine sweetness scale will be different for white and red wines. There are points given for every sweetness level on the scale. For white wines, the scale begins with very dry wines. The score is 0. Chennin Blanc and Pinot Grigio fall under this range. The next level on the scale is off-dry, and the score is 1-2. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon fall under this category of sweetness.
The next sweetness level is medium. The score is 3-4, and Moscato, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling fall under this level. The next level is sweet with a score of 5-6, and the Sauternes falls under this level. Next is the Very sweet level with a score of 7+ and ice wine falls under this level.
A Red Moscato Cocktail Recipe
This recipe consists of apple cider and delicious fruits.
Apple cider sangria along with Red Moscato
This sangria is the perfect option to choose for a Sunday brunch or a get-together at home.
The ingredients consist of a single bottle of red Moscato, one cup of apple cider from the store, ½ cup black pitted cherries, ½ cup of cranberries, 1 cup of cubed granny smith apples.
The procedure of making this cocktail is to start by pouring the red Moscato wine into a pitcher. Add all the fresh fruits as well as the apple cider. Mix the ingredients until evenly mixed. Allow the mixed Sangria to stay undisturbed for one hour. This will allow the wine to absorb the fruit flavors. The cocktail is to be served after at least one hour with or without ice as per preference.
Moscato Wine Tasting Notes
Under Muscats, there is a very wide range of varieties of grapes and flavors. The tasting notes of all the varieties are challenging to cover, and specific flavors are easier to cover. As mentioned earlier, all the Moscatos give a fruity, grapey, sweet aroma. They exhibit floral notes with a slight musk flavor.
Among all the Moscato wines, the Red Moscato is very rare. It is made from the Black Muscat grapes. The notes it exhibits are raspberry, violets, rose, as well as slight notes of roasted black tea. This grape is also found in the United States and is a cross of Muscat of Alexandria and Schiava.
How To Store Red Moscato?
The wine has to be refrigerated. The air should be preferably pumped out of the bottle before storing. A bottle of Moscato can be stored safely for 10 days. After 10 days, the quality of the Moscato cannot be given any guarantee.
Summing Up
Red Moscato is up and coming as is a great kind of wine to have at parties and home. Its low alcohol content is especially of great advantage to beginners who are not used to a lot of alcohol but want a slightly alcoholic beverage. Its fruity flavor is great to sip and also accompany a fruity dessert. It is sweet, aromatic, light, budget-friendly, and crisp.
A big advantage of this wine is that it is food-friendly. You can consume it for brunch, before your dinner, and also accompany your favorite dessert. Although Red Moscato has less amount of alcohol, drinking a large quantity can increase your blood alcohol volume.
