Champagne in the strict sense of the word can be called that sparkling wine that was made in the province of France with the same name. It was there that the technology for producing a foamy beverage was invented. Championship laurels, of course, matter, but who said that experience cannot be just as successfully repeated elsewhere? Of course, this, according to the residents of Champagne, will be a completely different drink. But we used to call all sparkling wines champagne.
However, Italians are more scrupulous in naming their sparkling wines. In this country for them there are names:
- spumante (very frothy);
- freezant (less effervescent);
- Prosecco (from grape variety);
- francacorta.
Judging by the name, the last sparkling wine is produced according to the French method of champagne. In this article, we will consider a drink that bears the name Moscato. Champagne has already paved the way for the Russian market and won the hearts of consumers. What do the reviews say about him?
Is it champagne?
What does the word “moscato” remind you of? Champagne? No, rather, musk. This substance has a strong and persistent aroma. Musk is added to perfumes to give them a basic sound. In the countries of the Middle East region (in Syria, and maybe in Egypt), an ancient breeder created a variety of grapes in the skin of berries which contained a large amount of essential oils. And this species was called nutmeg. After all, the drink from this grape was very fragrant. Phoenician and Greek merchants of this variety were brought to Europe.
Muscat, a native of sultry Arabia, tolerates drought and summer heat. But it turned out that the vines are perfectly adapted to a cooler climate. Now there are almost two hundred varieties of muscat grapes. They are grown in vast territories, ranging from European Ukraine and Moldova, and ending with Hispanic Chile or even Australia. This variety is loved by winemakers. After all, berries convey to the drink its entire unsurpassed aroma.
Wines from the Moscato Bianco variety
These vines, thanks to the hot climate, have taken root perfectly in Italy. In this country, quite a few areas are planted with the Moscato variety. Champagne and “still” wines (dry, fortified, aged) have a pleasant aroma with a complex bouquet. In young drinks, shades of orange peel are guessed. Fortified wines are distinguished by hints of bergamot and raisins. Made from white nutmeg and champagne. These sparkling wines are especially well produced in Piedmont, in the region of the town of Asti. It is the most north-west of Italy, on the southern slopes of the Alps.
To maintain a refreshing acidity and bright aroma, nutmeg is harvested early. Thus, the berries do not have time to collect sugars. This spumante is intended for aperitifs and seafood dishes. Alcohol in such wine is not more than seven and a half percent. If the crop is harvested later, dessert drinks are prepared from it.
Champagne "Rivani Moscato"
We have already said that white muscat vines are grown in the northern regions of Italy - Piedmont, Lombardy, Trentino-Adige, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna. But if we are talking about sparkling wines (spumant and freezant), then drinks from the Asti region are distinguished by the best taste and unsurpassed aroma. It is there and on the basis of this grape that the Chinzano, Martini, and Mondoro brands are produced.
Let's start our review of sparkling wines from Italy with Rivani. Champagne Rivani Moscato is one hundred percent composed of White Muscat grape must. This brand was awarded a bronze medal at the 2013 IWSC international competition. The color of the drink is light yellow, straw. The aroma feels sweet fruits with hints of citrus. In a soft, fresh, well-balanced taste, velvety notes are heard. This is a spumante with perky bubbles gently bursting in the mouth and caressing the palate. The sweetness of champagne determines the conditions for its supply. It goes well with a wedding cake or light Italian desserts. A bottle costs about four hundred rubles in Russia.
Bosco Moscato (Friesante)
In alcohol shops, there is also a product called Bosca Moscato - Lithuanian-made champagne. Reviews characterize this pop as soda with an extremely low alcohol content. If we are talking about an Italian product produced under the name “Fjord and Bosco Moscato”, then this is a high-quality drink, which belongs to the category of “quiet” champagne (freezant). Therefore, the neck of the bottle is closed with an ordinary wine cork. However, a drink poured into a glass plays with bubbles. But the foam forms very little. The wine is white, semi-dry, straw-colored. It has eleven percent alcohol and ten grams per liter of sugar. The fragrant bouquet of Frisante brings an association about flowers. Which is not surprising. After all, “Fjord and Bosco” is translated as “forest flower”. The taste of the drink is fresh, aromatic, slightly playing. Acidity is perfectly balanced. Friesant is served slightly chilled to fish dishes of Italian cuisine (risotto with shrimp and vegetables), appetizers. The price for a bottle is about eight euros.
Champagne Cavatina Moscato
This spumante is suitable for lovers of sweets. And it is served well chilled (up to five to six degrees) with desserts, fruits or cheeses. Sugars in it - as much as seventy grams per liter. And the fortress is only seven degrees. Spumante is a light straw color. The aroma can be heard floral shades with honey nuances. The taste of wine is fresh, light, harmonious. In Italy, this champagne can be bought at a price of four euros per bottle. In Russian alcoholic beverages, its cost is three hundred and sixty rubles.
"Villa Blanca"
Consider cheaper brands of sparkling wines made from the Moscato variety. Champagne Villa Blanca is the brainchild of the plant "Ariant" (Chelyabinsk). The price for a bottle is one hundred fifty-two rubles, which is good news. The manufacturer honestly admits that it is a carbonated wine product. That is, we are not talking about any process of natural champagne. The creation of "Villa Blanca" involved white wine varieties. This soft straw color drink. The aroma felt notes of fresh fruit. The taste of the drink is perfectly refreshing, sweet. Muscat grapes and lychee are felt in it. The fortress of a carbonated alcoholic drink is seven and a half degrees.
Champagne Moscato Spumante
Under this name you can find the products of many Italian winemakers. The drink can be either sweet or semi-dry. For an example we will take products of the Contarini brand from the Veneto region. The manufacturer supplies sweet champagne (dolce) to the store shelves. The fortress of sparkling wine is eight degrees. The drink has a pleasant golden color. In the bouquet and taste, classic musky notes are heard. This wine should not be cooled too much. Ten to twelve degrees is enough. This spumante is served with desserts, but it is even better to drink it as an aperitif without any snacks. A bottle costs about four hundred and sixty rubles.
Santero Asti
This luxury spumante is one hundred percent made from Moscato grapes. This champagne is produced at the Santero plant near the town of Asti (Piedmont). The drink has a noble taste, in which velvety notes are heard. The aroma, as befits a muscat, is very saturated. It interwoven notes of fresh sweet fruits (peach, apricot) with nuances of sage. The strength of the drink is six and a half degrees. This spumante is served chilled with fruits and cheeses. A bottle in Russian alcohol boutiques costs about six hundred and fifty rubles.