On the drive back home from a dear friend's 35th birthday dinner, my partner and I were discussing what we'd like to drink. Sadly, the restaurant had a 500% markup on their wines, so even the lowliest Australian imported viognier was going for $40, so we had a beer and decided to hold out for something better. What sounded good? Something festive, something without too much alcohol to make tomorrow morning a slog... so how about a Moscato d'Asti? Five per cent alcohol, enough sparkle to add some Christmas spirit, and... well, how's it taste?
The wine smells of clover honey, rich and complex, with hints of spearmint and hay. It does seem just a bit more complex than most moscato d'Asti I've had, though, with just a hint of an alkaline dryness. Vigorously bubbly in the mouth, perhaps just a bit too much for my tastes, the carbonation recedes eventually to reveal a fantastically delicate, balanced wine, not overly sweet, with a slightly herbal quality that shows well against the soft, honeyed texture. The finish stays with you for a long time indeed, again with a spearmint-orange peel character that's absolutely charming.
Somewhat more expensive than supermarket Moscato, sure, but worth it? Absolutely.
The wine smells of clover honey, rich and complex, with hints of spearmint and hay. It does seem just a bit more complex than most moscato d'Asti I've had, though, with just a hint of an alkaline dryness. Vigorously bubbly in the mouth, perhaps just a bit too much for my tastes, the carbonation recedes eventually to reveal a fantastically delicate, balanced wine, not overly sweet, with a slightly herbal quality that shows well against the soft, honeyed texture. The finish stays with you for a long time indeed, again with a spearmint-orange peel character that's absolutely charming.
Somewhat more expensive than supermarket Moscato, sure, but worth it? Absolutely.
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