Moscato is a white, Italian, dessert wine made from the Muscat grape, also known as the Muscat à Petits grains. In addition to being grown with great success in Italy, the Muscat grape is also grown in the south of France, as well as in Alsace, France. As said, it is the primary grape in Moscato, and also serves as the base for Northern Italian Spumanti.

Muscat is the only grape, which, after fermentation, still smells like a grape. In addition to this distinctive "grape" scent, Muscat also carries the aromas of oranges and roses. It has the ability to be used in a variety of styles, so wines made from the Muscat grape can be sweet and intense, or dry and subtle.

Asti: Spumanti No More

Among the ways the Muscat grape may be manipulated is in the creation of fizzy wines. Moscato d'Asti is one example of a delightful fizzy wine. Fizzy wines are not the same as "sparkling" wines. Fizzy wines are bottled with less pressure, so technically speaking, they are not members of the "sparkling" category.

Further, Moscato d'Asti should not to be confused with Asti Spumanti. Asti Spumanti (which is now referred to simply as "Asti", for image reasons) is much sweeter and much more bubbly. Moscato d'Asti, on the other hand, is more sophisticated, less sweet, more delicate overall, and runs around $12 to $15 a bottle.