Tag Archives: Moscato

¡Feliz #DiaDelMoscato! – Happy #NationalMoscatoDay!

9 May

Time to get your fiesta on, chicas y chicos!

Today is National Moscato Day, and to make sure you shine at the bar or dinner table tonight, here are three things to know about Moscato, and a yummy cocktail recipe from the fine folks at Gallo Family Vineyards. And for you smarty-pants out there, share your knowledge today during the #DiaDelMoscato Twitter party at  3 p.m. PST/6 p.m. EST. Be there or be cuadrado!

Now put on your drinking caps and savor these fun facts:

1. Moscato goes by different names in different countries. “Moscato” is Italian for Muscat, one of the oldest known grape varieties in the world. In Spain, it’s called Moscatel. Moscato is thought to be one of the few wines that actually tastes like the grape, and if you happen upon a Moscato vineyard, don’t freak out if bees and wasps are swarming the fruit of the vine. They’re drawn to the grape’s intoxicating floral and honey-like aroma and it’s decadent sweetness.

2. Moscato can be made in various styles. Moscato is one of the most versatile wines out there. You can have it sweet or dry, still or sparkling, or as a syrupy dessert wine. The wine can be white, pale pink or even red. If you love peach and citrus aromas, these are textbook Moscato scents.

3. Pair Moscato with fresh fruit, fruit-based desserts or spicy foods. Depending on which style of Moscato you’re drinking, there are mucho pairing options. A sweet Moscato can take the burn off of a spicy main course or complement the sweetness of fresh fruit or a fruit tart. A sparkling Moscato is an elegant aperitif and the perfect way to start a brunch.

OK, got all that? There’s a quiz later on. Not really. But here’s a delicious recipe from Gallo Family Vineyards you can enjoy today or any day of the year. ¡Salud!

El Full Disclosure: This is not an ad. And I did not receive free product or compensation for this post. I just like sharing mouthwatering recipes. Gracias, Gallo Family Vineyards!

GFV Moscato Mango Mojito

Moscato Mango Mojito

(serves 1)

Ingredients:

1.25 ounces Gallo Family Vineyards Moscato
1 lime, cut into eighths
5 leaves basil, plus more for garnish
.5-teaspoon demerara sugar
1 ounces white rum
1.25 ounces mango puree or mango nectar

Preparation:
Muddle lime, basil leaves, and sugar in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, then add the moscato, white rum, and mango nectar. Shake and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass Garnish with a basil sprig.

 

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Three things you need to know about Moscato

8 May

Naional-Moscato-Day-Logo

Chicas y chicos,in honor of National Moscato Day, which is mañana, May 9, I’d like to offer you three fun factoids about the wine that’s on everyone’s lips (and palates) these days, and share some tasting notes about Gallo Family Vineyards‘ Moscato. Before we go any further, here’s El Full Disclosure: The fine folks at Gallo gifted me a bottle of their Moscato and sponsored this blog post. However, the opinions (and factoids!) presented here for your reading and drinking pleasure are entirely my own.

So sit right down, pour yourself a glass of Moscato, and enjoy the three things every wine lover should know about Moscato.

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1. Moscato goes by different names in different countries. “Moscato” is actually Italian for Muscat, one of the oldest known grape varieties in the world. In Spain, it’s called Moscatel. Moscato is thought to be one of the few wines that actually tastes like the grape, and if you happen upon a Moscato vineyard, don’t freak out if bees and wasps are swarming the fruit of the vine. They’re drawn to the grape’s intoxicating floral and honey-like aroma and it’s decadent sweetness.

2. Moscato can be made in various styles. I personally think Moscato is one of the most versatile wines out there. You can have it sweet or dry, still or sparkling, or as a syrupy dessert wine. The wine can be white, pale pink or even red. I sampled Gallo’s Moscato, which is pale gold in color and happens to come from Muscat grapes grown in Australia. This wine has peach and citrus aromas, two scents that typically characterize Moscato, and it’s sweet on the palate.

3. Moscato pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, fruit-based desserts or spicy foods. Depending on which style of Moscato you’re drinking, there are pairing options for various food courses. A sweet Moscato can take the burn off of a spicy main course (I’m lookin’ at YOU, chile relleno and chicken tikka masala!) or complement  the sweetness of fresh fruit or a fruit tart. A sparkling Moscato is an elegant aperitif and the perfect way to start a brunch.

If you’re looking for an excuse to uncork a bottle of Moscato and share your new knowledge, let’s party! Join me tomorrow night for the #gno (as in Girls’ Night Out–but guys are welcome, too!) #MoscatoDay Twitter Party, Thursday, May 9 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time (9 to 10 p.m. Eastern).

In the meantime, here’s a quick and easy recipe for a yummy Moscato cocktail, courtesy of our amigos at Gallo Family Vineyards. See you tomorrow night, and ¡salud!

The Moscato Gimlet 2

Moscato Gimlet

(serves 1)

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz.     Gallo Family Vineyards Moscato
  • 1 oz.     Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1/2 oz. Agave Nectar

Preparation: Combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lime.

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Is Moscato the new Chardonnay?

18 Jan

Those of you who were of drinking age in the 1970s (and–ahem–for the record, I was not) may recall the stratospheric rise in popularity of Chardonnay. Like the band ABBA, Chardonnay had its heyday in the 70s and still enjoys  a hard-core fan base.

Mamma mia! I admit that I'll still sing out loud when Dancing Queen plays on the radio. (credit: musicwallpapers.net)

Mamma mia! I admit I’ll still sing to “Dancing Queen.” (credit: musicwallpapers.net)

But musical tastes evolve, and so, my friends, does wine.

Moscato, worshipped by some and reviled by many for the same reason–its sweetness–is topping the charts these days. Not a gathering goes by where I don’t encounter a gaggle of groupies who rave about Moscato’s naturally sweet character, versatility and intoxicating floral and fruit aromas.

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Make a sweet day even sweeter with a pink Moscato toast.

Is Moscato the new Chardonnay, or to drag out my musical metaphor, is Moscato to Chardonnay what Air Supply was to ABBA?

Señorita Vino took this question to the experts. Read what they had to say–and learn some basic facts about Moscato–in my most recent article for Latina Magazine’s fab food and wine website, TheLatinKitchen.com.

And tell me, are you a Chardonnay kind of wine lover, or does Moscato rock your world?
¡Salud!

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Wine Holiday: May 9 is National Moscato Day

9 May

Not to steal the thunder from any moms or Memorial Day die-hards out there, but it’s official: May has a new holiday. Chicas y chicos, raise a copa with me on the first-ever National Moscato Day!

For those of you who may not be familiar with Moscato, you soon will be, as this is a wine that is gaining a following among vino lovers in the U.S. If you’re not a disciple yet, here are some reasons you may want to worship at the Temple of the Moscato Goddess alongside Señorita Vino:

– Exotic aromas of roses and orange blossoms

– Honey-sweet (although some Moscatos are medium-sweet or dry)

– Ripe peach flavors with hints of tangerine or citrus peel

– Budget-friendly

– Pairs beautifully with spicy foods

What’s not to love? That’s what the folks at Gallo Family Vineyards thought, and thus the idea for National Moscato Day was born. Porque May 9, you ask? Because May is National Wine Month (I’ll drink to that!).

You can find Moscato wine at your local grocery store, wine shop and some restaurant menus. If you plan on buying a bottle, you won’t have to dip into your shoe budget. Some Moscatos are available for as little as $5 a bottle.

So get your fiesta on and if you happen upon a glass of Moscato before 6 p.m. Pacific/9 p.m. Eastern tonight, you can be part of a live toast on Twitter (#MoscatoDay). Tell ’em Señorita Vino (@SenoritaVino) sent you.

¡Salud!

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