Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/705687
38 Beverage Dynamics • July/August 2016 www.beveragedynamics.com FIVE STARS (97) Castello Banfi , Florus Muscadello 2012 (Montalcino, Tuscany). Golden yellow in color, with great viscosity. The nose is highlighted by its dried fruit aspects, with a touch of spice. Good weight and a smooth texture on the palate are just part of its long, balanced, exquisite fi n- ish. ($31 per 500-ml.) (96) Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Muscat 2013 (Alsace). Pale gold in the glass, the nose is dominated by fresh stone fruit with touches of spice and dried fruit. The palate is exceptionally well balanced, with the fruit and acid working in tandem on the lengthy fi nish. ($26) (95) Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Goldert Grand Cru Muscat 2013 (Alsace). Muscat elegance at its fi nest. A real keeper. Delicate and fl oral, with a touch of minerality. Long, lingering fi nish. A pleasure to sip and savor. ($65) (95) Botani Moscato 2014 (Malaga, Spain). An aromatic, full-fl avored dry style, not "frizzante." A bouquet of melon, peach, apricot and mandarin orange leads to bold, rich fl avors of the same fruits that thoroughly coat the palate. The fi nish is crisp, quite dry and long. The wine is beautifully bal- anced, and is delicious by itself as an aperitif, but will complement seafood, pork, fowl, even curries, sate's and Szechuan cuisine. 13.5% ABV. ($19) (95) Girasole Vineyards Muscat Canelli 2014 (Mendocino, Ca.). This marvelous wine is sure to delight afi cionados of desser t wines, as well as wine-lovers, period. From handpicked, certifi ed organic/vegan grapes from vineyards planted in the 1950s. Aromas of tropical fruits explode while pouring the wine. Intensely sweet fl avors of mango, nectarine and orange abound, fi nishing with racy, refreshing acidity that bal- ances the sweetness perfectly. Pair this with smoked salmon, curries, spicy Asian foods or even BBQ ribs. It's perfect for dessert with fresh fruit or chocolate. 13.5% ABV. ($15) (95) Marchesi di Barolo Zagara Moscato d'Asti 2014 (Piedmont). Straw yellow, with hints of gold. The nose is comprised of orange blossoms, for which the wine is named. The palate echoes the nose, with the addition of stone fruit. Bright and clean, from start to the lingering fi nish. ($19) (95) Coppo Moncalvina Moscato d'Asti 2014 (Piedmont). Straw yellow, with just a touch of green. The nose is all about stone and tree fruits, with fl oral undertones. The taste is clean, fruity and nicely textured. ($18) (95) Quady Electra Moscato 2014 (Mader- a,Ca.). Quady is famous for "Essencia," a Muscat in the style of the Rhone Valley's Beau- me-Des-Venise. Electra is the low-alcohol style (4.5%), cold-fermented and chilled to stop the fermentation process. Fragrant and lushly sweet, with fl avors of peach, apricot and orange zest. It's easy to enjoy as a warm weather quencher, or will complement BBQ Ribs and chicken, roast pork or milder Oriental cuisine. ($16) (95) Domaine de Durban Muscat. This is one of, if not the best, example for the money coming out of Beaumes de Venise. The fruit is perfectly concentrated, following booming aromatics, in this wonderful dessert wine. The vines are over 35 years old and it defi nitely shows in the qual- ity. ($15 per 375-ml.) (94) Vino Dei Fratelli Moscato d'Asti 2014 (Piedmont). Straw yellow in color, the nose is WINE SELECTIONS R E TA I L E R The Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel rate and review their favorite Muscat wines. THESE SELECTIONS INCLUDE BRIEF TASTING NOTES, a rating and the wine's retail price (which can vary from store to store and market to mar- ket). Unless noted otherwise, the price refl ects a 750-ml. bottle. If you're a beverage professional with a specialty in wine and you're interested in participating in the panel, please contact associate editor Kyle Swartz at kswartz@epgmediallc.com or 203-855-8499 x2225. ★★★★★ Five Stars (92-100) A top-flight wine. Superior in taste and character and providing an out- standing price/value relationship. ★★★★ Four Stars (86-91) A very good wine and an excellent value. A wine for which customers will keep coming back. ★★★ Three Stars (80-85) An above-average wine, at a reasonable price point, which many customers will enjoy. RATING SYSTEM