Moscato d'Asti is a semi-sparkling wine that is sweet and dry, with a light effervescence. It is made from the Muscat grape, which has a beautiful aromatic bouquet of peaches and white flowers. The wine has a delicate cascade of bubbles, a light body, and a sweetness that makes it a refreshing addition to brunch or a hot summer day. When it comes to pairing Moscato with cheese, a few factors need to be considered, such as the cheese's texture, intensity, and flavour profile. The sweetness of Moscato d'Asti pairs well with soft and creamy cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert, as well as pungent and salty cheeses like blue cheese, Roquefort, and Gorgonzola.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Cheese Pairing | Blue cheese, Brie, Camembert, Triple Cream, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Taleggio, Stilton, Cabrales |
Alcohol Content | 5% to 8% |
Taste | Sweet, fruity, musky, subtle yet intense, light effervescence |
Flavour Notes | Peach, Apricot, Lemon, Orange blossom, Wisteria, Linden, Honeysuckle, Ginger, Citrus, Sage |
Colour | Pale yellow to light red |
Sweetness | Semi-sweet to very sweet |
Food Pairing | Spicy food, Sichuan beef, Thai crab curry, Cajun-style chicken wings, salami with figs or melon, Indian food, molluscs, oysters, apple desserts, meringue pies, hazelnut desserts, pancakes, coffee cake, fruit tarts, plain sponge cake, sablé pastries, ring cake, Panettone, Pandoro |
What You'll Learn
Blue cheese
When selecting a blue cheese to pair with Moscato, it is important to choose a cheese with a creamy texture and mild flavour profile. Some of the best blue cheeses to pair with Moscato include:
- Stilton: This English blue cheese has a crumbly texture and a creamy, tangy flavour. Its mild flavour profile makes it an excellent pairing for Moscato.
- Cabrales: This Spanish blue cheese is made from a blend of cow's, goat's, and sheep's milk, giving it a complex flavour profile. Its creamy texture and tangy taste make it an excellent pairing for Moscato.
- Gorgonzola: This Italian blue cheese is made from cow's milk and has a tangy and slightly spicy flavour. Its creamy texture and bold flavour make it an excellent pairing for Moscato.
When serving Moscato with blue cheese, it is recommended to serve the wine chilled and the cheese at room temperature. This pairing is ideal as a dessert after a great meal, although it is worth noting that some people have strong aversions to blue cheese, so it is advisable to check with your guests first.
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Soft cheeses
Some of the best soft cheeses to pair with Moscato d'Asti include:
- Brie: This French cheese is known for its creamy texture and delicate flavour. Its mild flavour profile pairs well with Moscato's sweet and fruity taste.
- Camembert: Another French cheese, Camembert is similar to Brie but has a slightly stronger flavour. Its creamy texture and tangy taste make it an excellent pairing with Moscato.
- Triple Cream: This cheese is made by adding extra cream to the milk during the cheese-making process, resulting in an incredibly rich and creamy cheese. Its buttery flavour profile makes it an ideal pairing for Moscato.
When pairing Moscato with soft cheeses, it's important to select a wine that is not too sweet, as this can overpower the cheese's delicate flavours. Some excellent Moscato wines to pair with soft cheeses include Moscato d'Asti and Passito di Pantelleria.
Moscato d'Asti is a semi-sparkling wine that is sweet and dry, with a light effervescence reminiscent of Champagne. It is made from the Muscat grape, which has a beautiful aromatic bouquet of peaches and white flowers. It is bottled with a little bit of carbon dioxide, producing a lightly fizzy juice that is great as an aperitif or after a meal.
Passito di Pantelleria, on the other hand, is a dessert wine made from sun-dried Zibibbo grapes grown on the island of Pantelleria off the coast of Sicily. The grapes are left to dry in the sun for several weeks before being pressed, resulting in a sweet, concentrated wine with a complex flavour profile.
When pairing Moscato d'Asti with soft cheeses, it is recommended to choose local cheeses such as Castelmagno or Robiola. Castelmagno is a semi-hard cheese from the Piedmont region of Italy with a nutty and slightly spicy flavour. Robiola, on the other hand, is a soft cheese from the same region with a tangy and slightly sweet flavour that pairs well with the sweetness of Moscato d'Asti.
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Pungent cheeses
The original, authentic Moscato d'Asti is made in the Piedmont region of Italy. It is a semi-sparkling wine that is sweet and dry, with a light effervescence. The wine is made from Muscat grapes, which lend a beautiful aromatic bouquet of peaches and white flowers to the wine. It is bottled with a little carbon dioxide still present, resulting in a lightly fizzy texture.
When it comes to pungent cheeses, the following are some excellent options to pair with Moscato d'Asti:
- Roquefort: This French blue cheese has a distinct salty and sharp flavour and aroma. The sweetness of Moscato d'Asti helps to balance the cheese's intensity.
- Gorgonzola: This Italian blue cheese is made from cow's milk and has a tangy and slightly spicy flavour. Its creamy texture and bold flavour are complemented by the wine's sweetness.
- Taleggio: An Italian cheese with a pungent aroma and buttery flavour. Its soft texture and earthy taste are enhanced by Moscato d'Asti.
- Stilton: An English blue cheese with a crumbly texture and creamy, tangy flavour. Its mild flavour profile makes it a good match for Moscato d'Asti.
- Cabrales: A Spanish blue cheese made from a blend of cow, goat, and sheep's milk, giving it a complex flavour profile. Its creamy texture and tangy taste complement the wine.
When pairing Moscato d'Asti with pungent cheeses, it is important to choose a wine that is not overly sweet, as this can overwhelm the cheese's flavour. The sweetness and acidity of Moscato d'Asti help to balance the saltiness of these pungent cheeses, creating a delightful contrast.
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Salami and melon
When creating a charcuterie board with salami and melon to enjoy with Moscato d'Asti, opt for a variety of cured salami, such as Genoa, Milano, or Felino salami. The curing process adds depth of flavour to the meat, with notes of garlic, pepper, and spices that stand up to the sweetness of the wine. As for the melon, a ripe, in-season cantaloupe or honeydew melon is ideal. The bright, sweet flavour and juicy texture of these melons create a refreshing bite that complements the wine's effervescence.
To elevate the experience, consider adding a few additional elements to your salami and melon platter. A drizzle of balsamic glaze over the melon can add a touch of sweetness and acidity. Fresh basil leaves or mint sprigs not only provide a beautiful presentation but also contribute a refreshing herbal note that pairs well with the wine. To add a crunchy texture, include some toasted almonds or pistachios. These nuts also bring out the nutty nuances that can be found in Moscato d'Asti.
When serving Moscato d'Asti with salami and melon, it's best to enjoy the wine chilled. The ideal temperature range is between 6°C and 8°C, ensuring the wine maintains its refreshing quality and enhances the overall tasting experience.
This combination of salami, melon, and Moscato d'Asti is a wonderful way to begin a meal, offering a delightful interplay of flavours that will leave your palate eager for the next course.
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Spicy foods
When it comes to specific spicy dishes, Moscato d'Asti goes well with Sichuan beef, Thai crab curry, or spicy Cajun-style chicken wings. The wine's sweetness can also help temper the heat of spicy meatball dishes. The slight fizziness of Moscato d'Asti also makes it a good pairing for spicy Asian foods.
In addition to spicy dishes, Moscato d'Asti also pairs well with salty foods, which can provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the wine. Salty snacks like cured meats, nuts, or blue cheese can be a nice counterbalance. The sweetness of the Moscato d'Asti harmonises with the salty, funky flavours of blue cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Soft and creamy cheeses such as Brie and Camembert are good pairings with Moscato d'Asti. Pungent cheeses like Roquefort or Gorgonzola can also be paired with this wine as its sweetness balances the saltiness of the cheese.
Moscato d'Asti is a semi-sparkling wine that is sweet and dry, with a light effervescence. It is typically made in small batches and has a low alcohol content of around 5%.
Moscato d'Asti is a versatile wine that can be paired with savoury snacks such as salami with figs or melon, spicy foods like curries or chicken wings, and desserts such as fruit tarts, sponge cake, or sweet biscuits.