Moscato, NV. Vivid Crush

The Muscat family of wines includes some 200 grape varieties ranging the spectrum of white to yellow to pink to red. Moscato or Muscat Blanc is one of the oldest varietals in the world with origins in ancient Egypt and Persia and popularity in Classical Greece and Rome. Moscato is known for its characteristic aroma that can be best observed in light bodied, low alcohol wines from the lightly sparkling Moscato Asti to this example from Summerland Wines.

Since 2008 Summerland Wines has provided crush services to local California wineries. Like the Old World negociant, Summerland Wines travels throughout California's best wine regions to identify and procure the best quality grapes and establish long-term relationships with farmers throughout California.

This wine is an intriguing light yellow and silver in the glass. Aromas of mandarin orange, ripe pear, sweet Meyer lemon, orange blossom, and honeysuckle. The wine's unique floral aroma is from an aromatic compound called linalool which is also found in mint, citrus flowers, and cinnamon.

Although this is an aromatic and sweet varietal there is also a lively acidity that makes it a great food wine. Pair this wine with spicy Sichuan dishes, or Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Moscato is one of those rare varietals that handles aromatic spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and chile peppers too. For meat eaters, light meats like chicken and light flaky fish, and even BBQ pork or Peking duck. This is a perfect wine to keep chilled for your next take-out dinner.

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