90+ Cellar Moscato D'Asti 134

Moscato d'Asti is a lightly sparkling, sweet white wine from Piedmont in northwest Italy, made from the Moscato Bianco grape, and this bottling from 90+ Cellar is labeled at 5.5% ABV. That figure is typical of the style and a large part of its identity: fermentation is stopped early, leaving a good deal of natural grape sugar and a gentle prickle of fizz rather than the full pressure of a Champagne-style sparkler. Expect a pale straw color and a fine, soft bead. On the nose, styles like this usually lead with orange blossom, peach, apricot and ripe pear, often with a grapey, musky lift and a hint of honeysuckle. The palate tends to be light-bodied and openly sweet, but the better examples keep enough fresh acidity to stop the sugar from feeling heavy. There is no tannin to speak of and no oak influence, so the finish is clean, fruity and short rather than structured or grippy. The low alcohol keeps the wine feeling weightless even though it is sweet. At the table, Moscato d'Asti works best with food that is sweet, fruity or lightly salty. Fresh peaches, poached pears, fruit tarts, panettone, almond biscotti and soft cheeses such as mascarpone or ricotta all suit it. It also holds up against mild spice, so it is a sensible match for Thai or Szechuan dishes where a dry wine would taste thin and bitter. If it is served with dessert, pick something no sweeter than the wine itself, or the fruit will flatten out. Serve it well chilled, around 6 to 8°C (43 to 46°F), which keeps the sweetness in check and the bubbles lively. There is no reason to decant; just open and pour. A standard white wine glass or a small tulip shows the aromatics better than a wide coupe or a narrow flute. This is a drink-now bottle: Moscato d'Asti is built around fresh, youthful fruit and aroma, and it is best enjoyed within a year or so of purchase rather than cellared. Once opened, reseal and refrigerate, and finish it within a day or two while the fizz is still present.