Barefoot Fruitscato Strawberry

Barefoot Fruitscato Strawberry is a strawberry-flavored fruit dessert wine from the United States, listed under Massachusetts. The Fruitscato name points to the Moscato-style template: a light, aromatic, lightly sweet wine with a fruit-forward profile. Expect ripe strawberry on the nose, something like fresh-cut berries or strawberry jam, with a soft floral lift. On the palate, styles like this usually run light in body, with low to negligible tannin and gentle acidity. Residual sugar is the main structural feature. Don't expect oak, because wines in this category are made for fresh fruit character rather than barrel influence. The finish is typically short and clean, with the berry note fading rather than lingering. Serve it well chilled, around 41 to 45°F (5 to 7°C). That is cold enough to keep the sweetness lively instead of syrupy. A couple of hours in the refrigerator or about 30 minutes in an ice bath will get it there. Decanting does nothing for a wine like this, so pour straight from the bottle. A standard white wine glass or a small tulip works best. Its narrowed rim holds the strawberry aroma better than a wide tumbler. Its sweetness suits food that is salty, creamy, or mildly spiced. Try it with prosciutto and melon, soft cheeses such as brie or goat cheese, or a cheese board with fresh berries and almonds. It also works with lightly spicy dishes, where the sugar tempers the heat. For dessert, vanilla cheesecake, shortbread, pound cake, or plain strawberries are natural matches. Very sweet desserts will make the wine taste thin, so pick something less sugary than the wine. It is also a good base for a spritzer with sparkling water or chilled club soda over ice. This is a drink-now bottle. Fruit-driven, lightly sweet wines like this are made for freshness and don't improve with cellaring. Keep it in a cool, dark place and drink it within a year or so of purchase. Once opened, reseal it and refrigerate. It will hold its fruit for a few days, though it is brightest on the first night.