Gasarito Moscato d’Asti – Acquesi.

Sparkling wine is an essential choice for this festive season. Just imagining toasting a glass of sparkling wine with close ones or dear friends during this illumination season is enough to lift your spirits. Among Italian wines, Moscato d’Asti, frizzante meaning lightly sparkling wine, is loved for its aromatic grapy flavor and sweet yet refreshing taste. It is also popular as a dessert wine to pair with sweets. In this line we are reviewing the Gasarito Moscato d’Asti by Acquesi.

About the Region

Piemonte is the region not only for Nebbiolo (Barolo & Barbaresco) but also for other small yet high-quality native grapes. Moscato Bianco (a.k.a. Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains) is one of the latter examples. An aromatic white variety that is globally planted to make sweet wine, but here used to make sweet frizzante, regulated with lower alcohol (4.5-6.5% abv), minimum 130g/L residual sugar, and lower pressure (2.5 bar at the maximum). As requiring a high level of equipment and storage space, primarily large companies have produced frizzante, but still, a small proportion of very high-quality producers in Barolo and Barbaresco are also making some with specialists for them. Co-operatives play a critical role in the region, providing essential production tools.

About the Winery

The Cuvage Piedmontese named Acquesi was founded in 2011 in Acqui Terme to emphasize a unique terroir and to honor the cradle of premium Italian sparkling wines with native grapes, including Nebbiolo, Cortese, Moscato, and Brachetto. There are two product lines in their sparkling wines, “Cuvage Classic Method” and the Martinotti Method (=Tank Method) “Acquesi.” Moscato d’Asti, whose aromatic flavors should be kept in stainless steel, is one of the Acquesi lines.

About the Wine

100% Moscato Bianco, 5% abv, and prized Bronze in Decanter World Wine Awards.

In the glass a pale gold color with gentle tiny bubbles. Pure and aromatic with pronounced intensity, ranging from distinct grape, blossom, apricot, white peach, candied lemon, cinnamon, and a hint of dill and fennel on the nose. Slightly dried fruits and honeyed flavors give one more layer to the wine. On the palate, sweetness is counterbalanced by its refreshing acidity and soft mousse, which is full-bodied yet balanced.

Conclusion:

Aromatic and pure. Exceptionally lovely in this festive season, particularly excellent to be enjoyed with dry pastries and pies. Pairing with Asian food such as slightly spicy Thai curry or Salad in Southeast Asian style is also another good idea. We award this Italian sparkling wine with a well-deserved 88/100 DWA score.

This review is written by Kazumi Uejo on behalf of the Dutch Wine Apprentice. The wine is imported in The Netherlands by Vinites and available through associated retailers and restaurants.

Price:                          €11,95

Taste date:                  December 2022

Score:                           88/100 DWA Score

Website:                      Acquesi