Moxie Vino

What is Moscato?

Moscato is a sweet, low-alcohol white wine made from the Muscat grape, and it tastes like peaches, oranges, honey and flowers, often with a light fizz.

Moscato is the Italian name for Muscat, one of the oldest grapes around and one of the few wines that actually tastes like grapes. It's sweet, fragrant and often only about 5–10% alcohol, which makes it a favorite for people who don't love the taste of booze.

Tastes like
Peach, apricot, orange blossom, honey
Sweetness
Sweet
Where it's from
Italy's Piedmont is the classic; now made everywhere
Price range
About $6–18
Serve at
Very cold, 40–45°F
Bodylight → big
Sweetnessdry → sweet
Zingsoft → zippy

What Moscato tastes like

Juicy peach, canned apricot, mandarin orange and a perfumey, orange-blossom smell. It's sweet but light, and the best ones have enough tang to keep it from feeling sticky.

Many are frizzante, meaning gently fizzy, a softer tingle than full sparkling wine. Pink Moscato adds a splash of red wine for a strawberry vibe.

Where it comes from

The famous one is Moscato d'Asti from Piedmont in northwest Italy: lightly fizzy, about 5.5% alcohol and made to drink young. Today most grocery-store Moscato comes from California or Australia and is a little heavier and simpler, but still sweet and easy.

How to pick a bottle

If the label says 'Moscato d'Asti', expect the lighter, fresher, more delicate Italian style. Plain 'Moscato' from a big brand is sweeter and rounder. Check the alcohol: under 7% usually means more sweetness and fizz.

Buy the youngest bottle you can. Moscato is all about fresh fruit and loses its sparkle after a year or two on the shelf.

What to eat with it

Spicy food is Moscato's best friend. The sweetness cools down Thai curry, Sichuan noodles and hot wings. It's also great with fruit tarts, cheesecake and brunch, and it won't fight a fruit salad the way dry wine does.

Moscato to try

  • Stella Rosa Moscato

    about $13

    MoscatoGood buy

    Light, fizzy and low in alcohol. The one that made sweet Italian bubbles a grocery staple.

  • Barefoot Moscato

    about $7

    MoscatoGood buy

    Super sweet and super cheap. Great for sangria or a casual porch pour.

  • Cupcake Moscato d'Asti

    about $10

    Moscato

    A cheap way to try the real Italian style: lighter, fizzier, more peachy.

  • Sutter Home Moscato

    about $6

    Moscato

    Simple, sweet and still, with no bubbles. Fine when you just want something sugary and cold.

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Last checked 2026-10-11.