Andre Pink Mascato

Andre Pink Moscato is a pink sparkling wine from Massachusetts, sold in the standard 750ml bottle. The name points to the Moscato (Muscat) family. Pink sparkling wines in that style are usually low in alcohol and noticeably sweet, with a lively, soft fizz instead of the sharp bubbles of a brut Champagne-method wine. The listing doesn't give a grape blend, ABV, vintage or dosage level, so what follows describes what this style usually delivers, not measured figures for this bottle. Expect an aroma of strawberry, raspberry and ripe peach over the floral, orange-blossom lift that Muscat grapes are known for. On the palate, wines like this are light-bodied and fruit-forward, with a gentle mousse and a creamy rather than aggressive texture. Tannin is effectively absent, and oak is rarely part of the style. Acidity is moderate, enough to keep the sweetness from feeling heavy. The finish tends to be short, clean and fruity. If you prefer dry sparkling wine, this is not that, but if you like off-dry to sweet bubbles, it fits. The sweetness works well against salt and spice. Try it with prosciutto or salami boards, salted nuts, soft cheeses such as brie or fresh goat cheese, and Thai or Szechuan dishes where chili heat benefits from a sweet counterpoint. It also suits fruit tarts, shortbread, vanilla cake and berry desserts, provided the dessert isn't sweeter than the wine, which would make it taste flat. At brunch it goes with waffles, crepes and fruit salad. Serve it well chilled, around 40 to 45°F (4 to 7°C), which keeps the sweetness fresh and the bubbles fine. Two to three hours in the fridge, or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket, is enough. Do not decant, because that would release the carbonation. A tulip-shaped white wine glass or a flute holds the aromatics and bubbles well, and a wider coupe will let the fizz fade faster. This is a drink-now bottle. Light, fruity sparkling wines are made for freshness and don't improve with cellaring, so keep it upright in a cool, dark spot and open it within a year or so of purchase. Once opened, a sparkling-wine stopper will keep it drinkable for a day or two, though the fizz will gradually soften.