The secret is in the grapes.  If you have ever been on a wine vineyard tour, one of the first things heard was, “The grapes you see here are not the same kind that you buy at the supermarket.”  Muscat grapes are an exception; they are cultivated both as a table fruit and as a wine fruit.  You may have heard aromas and tastes of other wines described as resembling tobacco, citrus fruits, blackberries, or currants, but Moscato wine has a flavor that you will rarely find anywhere else: grapes.  This variety reflects its mother fruit like no other.  Moscato wine is flavorful without being overpowering.  This makes it perfect for drinking on its own or with desserts like fruit or chocolate.  Pair it spicy meals to help your tastebuds recover and to temper the sweetness of the wine.

Most bottles are semi-sweet with low acidity.  Dry specimens are easy to find since wine makers proudly and plainly label them as such.  Alsace is particularly famous for its dry Moscato wine.  Those with a sweet tooth would benefit from looking for bottles with the words “late harvest” on the label.

Besides the “grapey” flavor, the other defining characteristic of Muscato wine is its bouquet.  Most wine drinkers describe it as “floral”.  Novice tasters, do not fret if you do not pick up on the same sensation.  Inhale deeply from the center (not the rim) of the glass and see if you can conjure up some memories of mild flowery scents like lily of the valley, violets, or fresh roses.  Be sure to keep the actual flowers in mind and not the scented home products that supposedly resemble them.  If you do not detect these aromas, it could mean that your particular wine does not exhibit them strongly or it may mean that you need to develop your personal library of scents.  Either way, it means that you should try more; how’s that for a glass half-full?