W3 Wine School

Moscato Secco (Italy)

Moscato Secco Flavors

Dry Moscato Secco has floral, citrus and spice aromas, like lemon, pear, nectarine, peach and orange blossom.

Lemon
Lemon
Pear
Pear
Peach
Peach
Nectarine
Nectarine
Mandarin
Mandarin
Orange Zest
Orange Zest
Grapes
Grapes
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle

Moscato Secco Profile

Moscato Secco is dry, fruity and delicate:

SUGAR:Dry (3 g/l)
BODY:Medium
FRUIT:Medium
ACIDITY:High
ALCOHOL:12-13% ABV
Temperature Serving temperature:
8-10°C (46-50°F)

Moscato Secco Food Pairing

Moscato Secco pairs well with Seafood, Fried Fish, and Fried Chicken.

Aperitif
Aperitif
Oysters
Oysters
Shrimps
Shrimps
Crab
Seafood
Fish
Fish
Chicken
Chicken
Chips
Chips
Soft Cheese
Soft Cheese

Excellent Pairings

Oysters. Mussels
Clams. Shrimps.
Plain Fish. Sea Bass.
Fried Fish. French Fries.
Fish and Chips.

Italian Specialities

Insalata di Bresaola.


The Ideal Glass for Moscato Secco

A Riesling Glass has a tall and narrow bowl to emphasize the aromas of the wine.

The shape also helps balance the high acidity often found in Rieslings.

The glass is also perfect for any other bone dry wines with high acidity like Chablis, Chenin Blanc, Picpoul and Vinho Verde.

Moscato Secco Cheese Pairing

Moscato Secco is known for its light, crisp, and sometimes slightly fruity profile. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses.

Opt for cheeses with moderate saltiness and creaminess to balance the wine's acidity.

You can also add fresh fruits (grapes, apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), or a light drizzle of honey to enhance the pairing.

Fresh and Mild Cheeses

Mozzarella: Its delicate flavor pairs well with the wine's lightness.

Ricotta: Especially good if served with a drizzle of honey or fresh fruits.

Goat Cheese (Chèvre): The tanginess complements the subtle fruit notes in Moscato Secco.

Soft Cheeses

Brie: The creamy texture and mild flavor work beautifully with Moscato Secco.

Camembert: Similar to Brie but with slightly more earthiness.

Fontina: Its nutty, buttery qualities make a good match.

Semi-Hard Cheeses

Asiago: Lightly aged Asiago adds a complementary tang to the wine.

Manchego: A classic Spanish pairing, especially younger Manchego, which is less intense.

Gruyère: Mildly nutty and sweet, enhancing the wine's subtlety.

Blue Cheeses (for contrast)

Robiola: Its mild creaminess contrasts nicely without overpowering the wine.

If You Like Moscato Secco

You Will Also Like:

Arinto (Portugal)
Bourgogne Blanc (France)
Burgundy White (France)
Chablis (France)
Chardonnay (Unoaked)
Muscadet (France)
Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Picapoll (Spain)
Piquepoul (France)
Txakoli (Spain)
Vinho Verde (Portugal)

The Muscat Grape

The Muscat family includes over 200 grape varieties that have been used in wine production for many centuries.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is a white wine grape of Greek origin. The name comes from its small berry size and tight clusters. It is known under a variety of names (see below)

Muscat of Alexandria is characterized by its great aromatic power and high sugar content. The fruits of the bunch are larger and oval than those of the small-grained Muscat. It is also known under many different names.

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Moscato BiancoItaly
Moscato d'AstiItaly
Moscato di CanelliItaly
Muscat á Petits GrainsFrance
Muscat de FranceFrance
Muscat de Beaumes-de-VeniseFrance
Clairette de DieFrance
Muscat de RivesaltesFrance
Muscat de FrontignanFrance
Muscat de LunelFrance
Muscat de MirevalFrance
Muscat d'AlsaceFrance
Gelber MuskatellerGermany
Moscatel de Grano MenudoSpain
Moscatel MoriscoSpain
Muscat of SamosGreece
Muscat of PatrasGreece
Moscatel do DouroPortugal
Moscatel Galego BrancoPortugal
Rutherglen MuscatAustralia
Muscat CanelliUSA
SárgamuskotályHungary
Small-grained White MuscatEngland

Muscat of Alexandria

Moschato AlexandriasGreece
Moschato LimnouGreece
Moscatel de AlejandríaSpain
Moscatel de EspañaSpain
Moscatel de MálagaSpain
Moscatel de Grano GordoSpain
Moscatel Gordo BlancoSpain
Moscatel de SetúbalPortugal
Moscatel GraúdoPortugal
Moscato FranceseItaly
InsoliaItaly
ZibibboItaly
SeralamannaItaly
Muscat RomainFrance
Zibeben MuscatGermany
Moscatel de AlejandríaChile
Muscat of Fat GrainUSA

Dry White Wines

Muscat grapes can be used produce dry white wines, often characterized by their floral and fruity aromas with notes of peach, orange blossom, and honey. These wines are typically light and refreshing.


Fortified Wines

Muscat grapes are also used to make fortified wines, which have higher alcohol content due to the addition of spirits.


Muscat Blanc in France

In France, the grape is called Muscat Blanc or Muscat à Petits Grains.

It is used to produce dry white wines, natural sweet wines (vins doux naturels) and sparkling wines.

Muscat d'Alsace is a dry table wine with a fruity aroma, and a light fresh body that makes it an excellent aperitif.

Muscat de Rivesaltes is a sweet fortified wine from the Roussilon region.

Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise is a sweet fortified wine from southern Rhone, with flavors of flowers, apricot, citrus and honey.

Muscat de Frontignan, Muscat de Lunel, Muscat de Mireval are all natural sweet dessert wines from the Languedoc region, produced exclusively by the Muscat grape.

Clairette de Die is a sparkling wine from the town of Die in the northern Rhone region. It is made from a blend of Muscat Blanc and the Clairette grape, producing a sparkling white wine with a fruity, musky taste.


Moscatel in Portugal and Spain

Examples include:

These wines are rich, sweet, and intensely aromatic.


Moscato Bianco in Italia

In Italy, the grap is called Moscato Bianco.

It is used to produce dry, sweet, sparkling, and fortified wines.

The popular Moscato d'Asti and Asti Spumante wines are light, slightly sweet alternatives for celebrations and as an aperitif.

Moscato di Siracusa

Moscadello di Montalcino is one of Italy’s best sweet wines.


Zibibbo in Sicily

The name Zibibbo is commonly used in Italy, particularly in Sicily, where it has historical significance.

Zibibbo is often associated with sweet or fortified wines, it is also used to produce dry wines, particularly in Sicily.

Zibibbo Secco can offer a unique and aromatic drinking experience.


Muscat of Alexandria in Greece

White wines from Limnos are made from Moschato Aspro and Muscat of Alexandria. It is vinified dry, semi-dry and medium sweet.

PDO Muscat of Limnos dessert wines may be either vin naturellement dour (sun-dried grapes) or vin doux naturel – vin de liqueur (fortified).


South Africa

Constantia is a South African dessert wine made from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains grapes in the district of Constantia in Cape Town.


Muscat in Australia

Different types of Muscat grapes are grown in Australia. Different wine styles have been developed ranging from crisp dry whites to late harvest sweet wines and the famous fortified Liqueur Muscats.

Fortified Muscats are produced in Rutherglen and Glenrowan in northeast Victoria. The grape is Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains.


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