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
MUSCAT • WINE SELECTIONS www.beveragedynamics.com July/August 2016 • Beverage Dynamics 39 dominated by honeysuckle, with stone and trop- ical fruit notes. Bright, clean fruit on the palate, with a focused and balanced fi nish. ($18) (94) Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato 2014. The argument continues each year about who makes the best Moscato, and Michele Chiarlo Nivole is always in the conversation. The fragrance of this wine takes center stage — the sweet fruits play like the orchestra, and the wonderfully full fi nish is the crescendo. You will for sure come back for the second act of this perfect Moscato perfor- mance. ($16 per 375-ml.) (93) Vino Noceto Frivolo Moscato Bianco 2015 (California). Straw yellow, with a hint of gold. A lively fruit salad on the nose and palate, the wine is a bright expression of Muscat, with all of the tastes and texture you would expect. ($18) (92) Saracco Moscati D'Asti 2014 (Italy). De- lightful with simple fresh fruit desserts and even blue cheese. Bright and inviting — not heavy on the palate. Delicate notes of apricot and honey- suckle. ($15) (92) Domaine de Durban, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2014 (France). A lovely "vin doux naturel" that exudes much complexity. Flaunting apricot, caramelized orange peel, almond skin and beeswax, this is a treat for the senses. Its oily texture and sweetness is gracefully carried on an undercurrent of fresh acidity. This will drink well for many years to come. ($15 per 375-ml.) (92) Foss Marai Dolce Reale (Valdobbiadene). Golden yellow in color, a concentrated, light-bod- ied Moscato that has expressive aromas and fl a- vors of dried peach, lychee and complex violet notes. The light sweetness, and darker dried fruit notes, are balanced and complementary. ($17) (92) Mauro Sebaste Moscato d'Asti 2014 (Asti, Piedmont). Elegant yet approachable, this wine has well-defi ned acidity and struc- ture to create an uplifting mouth feel. Great expressive fruit, sweetness, low alcohol, ef- fervescence and an appealing freshness set this Barolo producer apart from other Moscato d'Asti wines. ($17) (92) La Sirena 2015 (Napa, CA). Honeysuckle, lychee and peach predominate in this Heidi Bar- rett creation. Muscat Canelli clones produce a dry, complex wine, beautifully balanced, with a touch of lime on the fi nish. ($29) (92) Vietti Moscato D'Asti Cascinetta 2015 (Italy). Pale sunshine-yellow in color with a slight frizzante, this Moscato d'Asti has intense aromas of peaches, rose petals and ginger. On the palate it is delicately sweet and sparkling with modest acidity, good balance, good com- plexity and a fi nish of fresh apricots. ($14) (92) Yalumba Museum Reserve Muscat NV (Australia). This wine is a rare treat for the price and complexity. It has an amazing raisin/prune and burnt toffee combination that makes it an amazing food-pairing wine. There is this very subtle port-like quality with this wine. Combined with all the amazing fl avors, this gives the wine amazing depth. ($24) (92) Elvio Tintero Moscato 2014. When it comes to Moscato, seeing a single-vineyard ex- pression at this price and quality doesn't happen very often. This wine will turn the "I don't like Moscato" customers into Moscato believers. You get all of the great Moscato characteristics, the aromatics, sweet melon and fruity fresh- ness, without the cloying sweetness that comes along with it. The well-balanced, clean fi nish will keep you coming back for more. ($13) FOUR STARS (91) Ceretto Moscato 2014. Long known for how great their Moscato is, Ceretto continues to release wines of the highest caliber. This year's Moscato release is no different. A little bit more dialed back than some on the sweetness, Cer- etto Moscato delivers on all fronts, hooking all wine drinkers the second they take a taste. ($24) (91) Resplandy (Muscat de St Jean de Miner- vois). A rich, mouth-fi lling — yet medium-bod- ied — Muscat with notes of lychee, apricot and apple blossom. Always the bold variety, this Muscat is intensely packed with dried fruit and fresh honey notes, and is a perfect dessert pair- ing or on its own. ($13) (91) Domaine Achard Vincent, Clairette de Die, 'Tradition' NV (France). This is a fantastic sparkling summertime sipper that comes from a little-known corner of the Rhone and is raised bio-dynamically. Wonderfully fresh and vibrant, it lures you in with loads of ripe peache, brused pear and honeysuckle. Here, the sweetness is balanced by fi ne acidity, a chalky minerality and just the right amount of bubbles. ($24) (91) Armani Moscato Spumante (Valdadige). Complex and interesting, yet still refreshing and smooth, with bright notes of peach, pear and apricot. The spumante mouth feel — and the fl oral and fruity fl avors accompanied by a sweet fi nish — are balanced, distinct and leave you wanting more. ($16) (90) 14 Hands Moscato 2013 (Washington State). Nice beginner Muscat. Not overly cloying — brim- ming with vibrant hints of orange blossoms. ($10) (90) Robert Hall Orange Muscat 2014 (Califor- nia). An energetic and bright wine that captures the essence of sweet and refreshing. The fl oral notes and gentle mandarin orange pop of fruit, combined with the vibrant acidity and the re- freshing fi nish, make this the perfect fi rst-course summer-meal wine. ($17) (90) St. Supery Moscato 2014 (Napa Valley). This wine presents with brilliant pale yellows and youthful hints of green. Aromas of mandarin and peach blossom dominate, with notes of marma- lade and orange zest. Flavors explode with a fruit basket of rich, exotic peach and nectarine with a citrus undercurrent and orange peel on the fi n- ish. Enjoy this bright, opulent, sweet wine. ($23) (90) Poquito Valencia 2015 (Spain). It doesn't get any cuter than this! Moscatel de Alejandria from Valencia, Spain, all packaged in a soda pop bottle with a metal cap. Delicate fl oral, apricots and pears, super refreshing and just 5% alcohol. Great over ice. ($9). (90) Terres de Muscat 2013 (Muscat de St Jean de Minervois). This bright, golden Muscat has rich, white fl ower aromas and tastes of apricot, fi g and mango. The smooth texture and structure combined with the dried fruit note make this des- sert wine versatile and balanced. ($12) (90) Luna d'Or Moscato Frizzante (Veneto). A fi zzy bright fl oral wine with generous notes of apple blossom, tangerine and peach accompa- nied by a slight sweetness. It all fi ts in pleasantly and the wine feels focused yet easy; charming mouth feel helps round everything out. ($10) BD