Light, Sweet, and Bubbly? (NW)

There is such a wine! Moscato D'Asti is light, sweet, and bubbly...and lots of fun to drink!

Do you like the bubbles associated with sparkling wine?
Do you like the sweetness associated with dessert wine?
Do you like to drink something that is light and easy to enjoy?

Many people have had a glass of Brut Champagne and promptly puckered their lips at the utter dryness. They find some sparlking wines difficult to approach, but always enjoy the festive bubbles. Alternatives abound, but many are still dry wines from familiar grape varietals such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. If you like a touch of sweetness, you might be fond of dessert wines such as Muscats, Icewines, and Sauternes. However, many can be a bit heavy and as a result, not very versatile. If you're looking for something that is lighter and easy-to-enjoy, but still has bubbles, try a Moscato D'Asti.

Moscato D'Asti is produced in the piedmont region of Northern Italy. It is a light, sweet bubbly that is very versatile. Several times, I've opened a bottle as an aperatif and just kept on drinking it right through dinner because it does so well with food, too. At other times, I've popped a cork for dessert and have found it to be a terrific finale. One of the reasons for this versatility is that it is very low in alcohol content, usually 7-10%. And, because it's not overly sweet, it can be enjoyed with food. I remember it standing up well to citrus chicken on one occasion and Thai spring rolls with lemongrass soup on another occasion.

If you haven't yet discover this treat, go in search of a bottle or two. Serve it to your next guests as a surprise and allow them to draw their own conclusions. It's a crowd pleaser.

Your local wine shop should have a couple of choices. Two that I recommend are both approximately $13/bottle:

Bosc D La Rei Moscato D'Asti and "Il" Moscato

Treat yourself to something light, sweet, and bubbly! Raise a glass! -NW