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Top Five Moscato Wines – My List

March 12, 2012 By 111 Comments

Last week I received a frantic text from a guy friend of mine asking what was a good kind of Moscato wine.   He was heading to a dinner date at his new girlfriend’s house, and wanted to take a good bottle of Moscato that would go with just about anything she was cooking.   It might have been the easiest question I have ever been asked.  :)    Though I am nothing near a wine connoisseur,  I do love Moscato.  Here are my top picks:

My Top Five Favorite Moscato Wines

1. Bartenura Moscato

Since the very first sip I took of Bartenura Moscato back in 2008 at Skopelo’s Restaurant I have loved this wine.   It is a very light, sweet wine with only 5% alcohol – low for many wines.   It is a bit effervescent giving it almost a champagne-like feel… perfect for any little celebration.

Bartenura Moscato pairs best with fruits, desserts, and cheeses – but to be honest, I drink it with just about anything.

When I first discovered this wine I could only find it at Four Winds – a local specialty food and wine store, but I am happy to say that Publix carries it now as well!

Average retail: $12-14

2. Flip Flop Moscato

Last year I was delighted to try Flip Flop Moscato for the first time.   Besides just having great packaging – it has a screw top and not a cork, which is fantastic for toting to the beach – it was a light, refreshing wine that I really enjoyed.

Flip Flop Moscato is great with fish and chicken dishes or for sipping on the beach or poolside.  It isnt overly sweet but has a crisp flavor and a sweetness that lingers on your tongue.

Another great thing about Flip Flop wine is the Soles4Souls Program – where a portion of the proceeds from each bottle of wine sold goes to helping provide footwear to those in need.   A great wine and giving to charity – its a win-win.

Average Retail: $10-$12

3. Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato

It was just a few weeks ago that I had the pleasure of checking out Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato, however it has made my Top Five list for a couple of reasons.

Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato is a great celebration wine.  Packaged like a bottle of champagne you can literally pop the cork to celebrate anything you wish.  I believe everything in life deserves a celebration, so whether you are getting married, passed that major exam, lost 5 pounds or just resisted that brownie – you can pop the cork and celebrate.

As someone who will be having a wedding in the future, I love the idea of serving this Moscato in lieu of champagne at my reception.  After all, I am the Moscato Mom.

4. Barefoot Moscato

This is probably the wine I drink most commonly since it literally goes with everything.  Barefoot Wines have won thousands of awards, and just one sip will show you why.  The flavors are always unique and bursting with flavor.

The Barefoot Moscato has much more of a citrus-y taste to me than the other wines on this list.   You can also taste the hints of peach and apricot, without it being too overly sweet.

Barefoot Wines was founded by a woman who was supposed to become a doctor, but couldn’t resist the “call of the vines.”   The company has grown from having just four varietals to now 12 still and 5 sparkling wines.  Barefoot is now the most awarded wine brand in California under $15.

Average Retail:  $9-$12

 

5.  Middle Sister Moscato

I stumbled across this wine by accident – checking out of a Super Target in Mobile Alabama.   The label was so cute I just had to check it out.

Middle Sister wines give every wine its own unique personality.  Though I am an only child and a mother of only two daughters, I can certainly assign a personality to every woman I know with the Middle Sister varieties.  You can determine “which sister you are” from your taste preferences.  Mine, being Moscato made me the “Sweet & Sassy” sister.  Here is what my label has to say:

“After a long hard day of being fabulous, I like to relax with a glass of wine. But I dont want it to bite me back.  Isn’t there enough drama in this world? That’s why this wine is my new best wine friend.  With a touch of natural sweetness, its smooth and refreshing and so easy to love.  Moscato, always stay as sweet as you are.  I’ll handle the sassy.”

Made with 100% California grapes, the Middle Sister Moscato has a bit higher of an alcohol content – 11% – than the other wines on this list… but then I bet any “middle sister” would probably agree that is a necessary evil.

Average Retail:  $9-$12

 

I am sure there are many many fantastic Moscato wines out there, and I hope someday to try them all.  Moscato is a wine that I have found most everyone likes – even friends who have said “oh I am not a wine drinker” have enjoyed a glass of one of these from this list.

Do you have a favorite Moscato wine?

 

 


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Wine & Fondue with Jacob’s Creek

February 29, 2012 By 13 Comments

Friday night I had the pleasure of having seven of my girlfriends over for a Wine & Fondue night and to review a still and sparkling Moscato from Jacob’s Creek Vineyard.    We made cheddar cheese and milk chocolate fondue and the wines went perfectly with the meal.

Jacob’s Creek Vineyard began in 1847 when a young Bavarian immigrant decided to try his hand at making his own wine like the kind he was used to back home.  Little did he know that when he planted the Barossa Valley’s first commercial vineyard along the Jacob’s Creek, that it would later turn into one of the most popular wine brands in the world.   Today, Jacob’s Creek Wine remains one of the most well know Australian Wines around the world, and is known for its fresh, elegant taste and character.

The philosophy of Jacob’s Creek is to offer a range of wines that suit all occasions.   As a company, we concentrate on two key things: The first is continuous improvement. Every vintage we strive to improve the quality of our wines by refining our winemaking practices and continually gaining a greater understanding of our vineyards.

We started with the Sparking Rose (we called it “Pink”)  Moscato while our cheese fondue was heating up.  The Sparkling Rose Moscato “is a deliciously refreshing wine with hints of luscious berry fruit flavours and a light, fresh taste. Simply chill and enjoy it with friends.”  And we did!  With a “champagne” like cork top we kicked the night off with a BANG – literally.  It felt like a celebration to “pop the cork” and so we turned it into one – with a cheers to good friends and good fun!

From left: Tonya, Jana, Christina, Amy, Christy, Bridgette, Mary, and Me!

 

When we started the chocolate fondue we switched to the Classic “still” Moscato.   This Moscato “displays attractive tropical and subtle pear fruit flavours and aromas, with a great balance” and though the Jacob’s Creek Website recommends it with spicy seafood or Asian cuisine, I am here to tell you the eight of us say it goes great with milk chocolate fondue.

The Jacob’s Creek Moscato was not quite as sweet as several of the others I have tried, which was actually a very good thing especially when we got to the chocolate fondue.  It still had a light, fresh sweetness to it – not dry like a Chardonnay – but not overpowering to make it too sweet with dessert.

It was a perfect night in with friend made even more perfect with two great Moscato wines.

Thanks to my amazing friends for helping me review this wine!  We must do it again very soon!

Disclaimer: I was provided with two bottles of Jacob’s Creek Wine for the purpose of this review.  No other compensation was exchanged.  All opinions are 100% mine… well… and my friends.