The Moscato variety is one of the oldest, cultivated among the wines of Piedmont.
It is among the most ancient ones, widespread in different varieties, mainly with
white fruits; all characterized by an intense aroma of musk, from which the vine
variety takes the name. In the past, its grapes were used for the treatments and
the natural remedies, which attracted the middle class on Langhe hills until the
end of 19th century. The main difference between the sweet wines and the “regular”
wines is in the residual sugar, that is the sugar present into the wine not transformed
in alcohol during the fermentation. The wine is sweet as the residual sugar is present.
Each wine, even the driest, has the residual sugar, but in lower quantity, so it
is not possible to perceive it during the tasting. The sweetness sensation of a
wine is always well-balanced by its acidity; or by its alcohol content, for this
reason the sweet wines are usually enough alcoholic (often a wine becomes stronger
by adding alcohol) The most refined process consists in the consideration of sugar
concentration in every grape for example by reducing the water quantity into the
must. It is clear that depending on the process used; it will obtain wines with
different characteristics. The sweet white wines can be used also in the cooking
thanks to their elegant and refined taste, for example in the preparation of different
pastry making recipes. The famous pairing with this wine is with sweets and confectionery
products; not so common is that with savoury and tasty food like aged and spicy
cheese, and very rarely, with some meat.
The term autochthonous/native used for a grape means that this vine variety was
born and has developed into a precise geographical place by adapting itself to the
hosting soil almost merges with it. In Italy we can boast a heritage of more than
one hundred native grapes of solid tradition, some very well-known, other endangered.
Fortunately the wines produced with native grapes are nowadays very popular, because
are rich in personality and represent a good answer against the international taste
standardization. Instead of the sweet wines, the dry wines have few sugar and are
less sweet in the mouth. The food pairings with this wine are fish or chicken.