Italian Moscato is the most recognizable synonym for one of the oldest, most-versatile grape families in the world. Also known as Moscatel in Spanish, and Muscat in French, the group of grapes produces a range of different styles of wine, including sweet, low-ABV sparklers; still, aromatic whites; rosé; dessert wines; and occasionally reds.
The most commonly planted variety, Muscat Blanc (Moscato Bianco), stars in Moscato d’Asti, the classic fizzy style famously made in Piedmont, Italy. Along with Muscat of Alexandria, the grape is also used in the production of still white wines.
Pink Moscato gains its hue by blending in a small amount of red wine, while the rare Red Moscato is made using a grape variety called Black Muscat, which is a cross between Schiava, an Italian red grape, and Muscat of Alexandria. Put simply, Moscato has something for everyone. Want to know what’s currently trending? We culled Wine Searcher frequency data to compile the 10 most popular Moscato brands in the world right now.
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Located on the Canelli slopes of Piedmont, Coppo is famous for its 18th-century underground wine cellars, which extend deep into the hillside and are recognized as a Unesco World Heritage site. Coppo pioneered a method for making quality wines using red grape Barbera, but its most popular offering by far is this bubbly Moscato d’Asti. Average price: $16.
9. Michele Chiarlo Nivole, Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Italy
Michele Chiarlo founded his eponymous winery in 1956, though he himself comes from four generations of Piedmont winemakers. Nivole, meaning clouds in the local dialect, is made using fruit from the sloping hills surrounding Canelli. The wine is fermented to a lightly sparkling, 5 percent ABV. Average price $24.
8. SkinnyGirl Moscato, Italy
Launched by former Real Housewives cast member Bethenny Frankel, SkinnyGirl Cocktails was acquired by spirits conglomerate Beam Suntory in March 2011. This sparkling, sweet Moscato is one of seven “low-calorie” wines the brand offers. Average price: $11.
7. Muscador Cepage Muscat Mousseux Rose, France
This budget bottle of rosé bubbles is the only French offering on this list. According to Muscador, it’s best served “as an aperitif, a dessert wine, or on other sweet moments of the day.” Average price: $5.
6. Innocent Bystander Moscato Sparkling, Victoria, Australia
Hailing from the Victoria region of Australia, Innocent Bystander is a blend of Muscat Gordo and black variety Muscat of Hamburg. According to Wine-Searcher, it is the most-searched-for pink Moscato in the world. Average price: $13.
5. La Spinetta Bricco Quaglia, Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Italy
La Spinetta is closely associated with premium Barolo and Barbaresco, but its Moscato is definitely not to be discounted. The Muscat Blanc for this sweet sparkler comes from a single, 50-acre vineyard, and production sits at around 110,000 bottles annually. Average price: $18.
4. Vietti Cascinetta, Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Italy
Grapes for this Moscato d’Asti are selected from small vineyards located in Castiglione Tinella, arguably the best region in the entire DOCG. Like La Spinetta, Vietti is another Piedmontese winery that’s better known for top-tier Barolo and Barbera wines. Average price: $16.
3. Bartenura Moscato, Italy
Bartenura Moscato is easily identified by its iconic, thin, blue glass bottle. The kosher, sweet Moscato is revered by everyone from novice wine drinkers to big-time celebrities like Drake. Average price: $13.
2. Paolo Saracco Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
Like Vietti Cascinetta, Paolo Saracco Moscato vines are situated in renowned growing area Castiglione. The estate has been family-owned for over 100 years, and is currently operated by third-generation winemaker Paolo. Average price: $15.
1. Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine, Constantia, South Africa
In 1817, South Africa’s historic Constantia estate was broken into two smaller properties: Groot (big) and Klein (small) Constantia. Both are operational today, and each produces a traditional late-harvest wine called Vin de Constance. A favorite of 19th-century European nobility, production of the sweet Moscato was devastated by the phylloxera outbreak in the 1870s, and didn’t properly return until the 1980s. The producer also offers a range of dry wines using international red and white varieties. Average price: $109.
