10 Best Sweet Moscato Wines: Guide to the Most Luscious Bottles
Last Updated on November 26, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Whether planning a romantic evening, a girls’ night in or simply looking for the perfect wine to pair with dessert, knowing your way around sweet white wine like Moscato is essential.
Moscato offers a harmonious blend of fruity and floral flavors, perfect for sipping on its own or complementing a variety of dishes.
However, with many options available in the market, it can be quite a daunting task to choose the best sweet Moscato that perfectly suits your palate, so we did a blind tasting, and here’s the result.
Top 10 Sweet Moscato Wines To Collect
1. La Spinetta Bricco Quaglia Moscato d’Asti
Average Price: Roughly $17.99 (We Speak Wine)
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Nose: Clean, sage, honey, aromatic Moscato grapes
Palate: Fresh fruit, fine herbs, honey, tangerine, clean finish
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: In our blind tasting, La Spinetta Bricco Quaglia Moscato d’Asti captured our hearts with its clean, inviting nose featuring peach, sage, and delicate honey notes.
It unveiled a delightful combination of fresh fruit, predominantly ripe peaches, complemented by subtle herbaceous undertones.
The Moscato is the best dessert wine in the world… and Nivole is constantly the best. -Michael Broadbent, Director
It’s the Moscato wine that received the most votes out of all the sweet wines in this listing, and we’re confident it will win over anyone seeking a memorable sweet wine experience.
2. Elio Perrone Sourgal Moscato d’Asti
Average Price: Roughly $13.99 (TASTE.online)
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Nose: Orange blossom, sage, fresh Muscat grapes, tangerine, honey
Palate: Sweet, harmonious, well-balanced, orange, honey
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: During our blind tasting sessions, the Elio Perrone Sourgal Moscato d’Asti stood out with its captivating characteristics.
It has intense orange blossom, ripe yellow peaches, aromatic sage, and freshly picked Muscat grapes [1] aroma.
On the palate, this Moscato d’Asti from Italy delighted with its sweet and harmonious profile, beautifully balanced by the typical Muscat acidity.
We particularly appreciate its versatility, and we enjoyed the wine in a champagne flute.
3. Stella Rosa Moscato d’Asti N.V.
Average Price: Roughly $11.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 5.5% ABV
Nose: Clean, inviting, fruity, floral
Palate: Semi-sweet, semi-sparkling, peach, apricot, honey
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: In our blind tasting sessions, Stella Rosa Moscato d’Asti N.V., produced in Italy’s Piedmont Region, charmed us with its clean and inviting nose, promising a delightful experience.
It revealed a harmonious blend of flavors, predominantly peach and apricot, complemented by the subtle sweetness of honey.
The sweetness is just right, and the flavors pair wonderfully with fresh fruit, salted nuts, fondue, Pad Thai, and chicken Alfredo pizza.
4. Michele Chiarlo Moscato d’Asti Nivole
Average Price: Roughly $19.19 (Plum Market)
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Nose: Floral, typical Moscato aromas, peach, apricot
Palate: Creamy, light, fragrant, pleasant fine bubble, refreshingly fresh flavors
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: On the palate, this Moscato d’Asti produced in Italy revealed its charm. As we opened the bottle, it offered a creamy and fragrant experience.
It’s a wine that captures the essence of Moscato beautifully, making it a delightful choice for those who appreciate tasty and bold wines.
It’s the type of wine perfect for sipping poolside or with fresh fruit and dessert.
5. Cazes Muscat de Rivesaltes
Average Price: Roughly $29 (Duty Free)
Alcohol Content: 15% ABV
Nose: Fragrant, heady, summer flowers, passionfruit, apricot
Palate: Intense passion fruit flavor, floral notes, luscious apricot sweetness
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: The Cazes Muscat de Rivesaltes from Italy offers a captivating and fragrant experience that genuinely impressed us.
The Cazes Muscat de Rivesaltes doesn’t disappoint, thanks to the premium muscat grape they use. It delivers an intense passion fruit flavor balanced by the delightful essence of floral notes.
6. Salt of the Earth 2020 Rubino Moscato
Average Price: Roughly $12.99 (Vintage Wine Shoppe)
Alcohol Content: 7.5% ABV
Nose: Bright raspberry, cherry compote, grape, fresh apricots
Palate: Silky, sweet, light, tangy citrus marmalade, spice
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: This Moscato Rubino stands out as an alcoholic drink that beautifully balances sweetness with vibrant fruitiness and a hint of spice.
It’s a delightful choice for those who appreciate wines that offer a medley of flavors and a long, satisfying finish.
The sweet flavors were complemented by the tangy citrus marmalade notes and a subtle hint of spice, which added depth and complexity to the wine [2].
7. Quady 2018 Essensia Orange Muscat
Average Price: Roughly $59.99 (Cask Cartel)
Alcohol Content: 17% ABV
Nose: Rich gold color, spicy, light orange, grape, rose petals, white flowers.
Palate: Orange blossoms, sweet, spicy orange, balanced fruit, clean finish
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: On the palate, Essensia delivered a full-bodied and sweet profile that perfectly matched the promise of its aroma.
Unlike other Muscat wines, every bottle has the right balance with fruit acidity that cuts through the sweetness, leading to a clean and refreshing finish. Each sip tempted us for another, making it a true pleasure to savor.
8. Marenco 2020 Strevi Scrapona
Average Price: Roughly $23.98 (Shop Wine Direct)
Alcohol Content: 5% ABV
Nose: Delicate aromas, botanical herbs, white flowers, yellow stone fruit, pear
Palate: Smooth sparkling, light, savory, sweet, grape, fresh apricots, creamy yellow peach, sage
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: On our first sip, the Moscato revealed the wine’s authentic charm. Every bottle is packed with a fantastic combination of elements—vibrant, savory, and sweet.
Apricots and creamy yellow peach take center stage, followed by the delightful sweetness of lemon drop candy.
9. Sutter Home Moscato Wine
Average Price: Roughly $7 (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 10.1 % ABV
Nose: Delicate aromas, white peaches, pear, rose petals, exotic lychee
Palate: Luxurious, sweet, creamy peach, grape, nectarine, juicy melon, hints of caramel, and pear
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: Wine snobs possibly looked down on Sutter Home Moscato wine for its low price.
But, from the moment we pour the Moscato into a glass, we’re greeted with fragrant notes of white peaches, the soft elegance of rose petals, and the exotic allure of lychee.
Hints of caramel add depth and complexity to the wine, making each sip a sensory delight—the sweet flavors of the wine complement the spicy dishes.
10. Saracco 2021 Moscato d’Asti
Average Price: Roughly $16.99 (Wine.com)
Alcohol Content: 6% ABV
Nose: Lightly sparkling, aromatic, apricots, honeysuckle, orange blossoms, lemon zest
Palate: Complex, good body, grape, beautiful persistency on the finish.
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: With an alcohol content of around 6%, this Moscato produced in Italy goes down quickly and is an excellent choice for various occasions.
The wine is a lightly sparkling gem with a captivating nose filled with the enticing aromas of apricots.
“Life is sweeter with Moscato in hand.” -Liquor Laboratory
The result is a wine that’s not overly sweet but perfectly balanced, that more than a glass is needed.
Note: The star rating was determined based on a blind test, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Each product was evaluated on its overall quality, flavor profile, complexity, smoothness, and overall enjoyment.
FAQs
Which is sweeter, rose or pink Moscato?
Moscato is typically slightly sweeter than Rosé. Both wines are known for their sweetness, but Moscato generally has a higher sugar content, making it sweeter.
Moscato uses carefully selected grapes grown in specific vineyards that produce the ripest, sweetest, and most aromatic fruit.
Is Moscato considered cheap wine?
Moscato is not necessarily considered a cheap wine. The price of the wines can vary widely depending on factors such as the producer, region, quality, and vintage.
While there are affordable Pink Moscato options available, there are also higher-end and premium Pink Moscato that are valued for their exceptional quality.
Is Moscato sweeter than prosecco?
Yes, Moscato is generally sweeter than Prosecco. Pink Moscato is known for its pronounced sweetness [3], while Prosecco is typically more dry [4].
However, it’s worth noting that Prosecco dry wine can be sweeter than white wine, depending on the ingredients used.
Key Takeaways
Sweet Moscato wines offer a delightful array of options, each with unique charm and character.
However, one wine that undeniably stands out in this category is the La Spinetta Bricco Quaglia Moscato d’Asti from Italy.
During our exploration of sweet Moscatos, the wine captivated our senses with its inviting peach and sage aromas and impeccably clean and fresh finish that lingers, leaving us craving for another sip.
Its distinctive character and memorable taste experience make the wine a top choice for those seeking the finest sweet Moscato wine.
References:
- https://www.foodandwine.com/wine/white-wine/muscat-guide
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/wine
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/moscato-wine-information-3511261
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2019/03/05/difference-between-champagne-prosecco-and-sparkling-wine/3005561002/
