Moscato is the Italian word for Muscat. But over the past few years Moscato wine has acquired a new meaning in Australia. Moscato is a low alcohol wine often sweet and a just a little bubbly (spritzig). It can be made with any of the several varieties of Muscat, especially Muscat a Petit Grains.. Zibibbo is the pink version of Moscato.

Prosecco is a similar but drier style made with the Prosecco grape.

Over recent years low alcohol sweet or semi sweet wines under the name Moscato have become very popular in Australia. These are typically low alcohol wines (6-10%) and are ideal as aperitifs.

The appeal of these wines is that they are very refreshing. The natural acidity of the wine is offset by the sweetness, but they are not overwhelmingly sweet. Many occasional or novice winemakers find these wines more palatable than overoaked Chardonnay or astringent Sauvignon blanc. They may start with these wines and eventually be encouraged to try other table wines.

The following Australian wineries are making Moscato style wines

• Andrew Peace Wines Swan Hill
• Bago Vineyards Hastings River
• Ballast Stone Estate Currency Creek
• Banrock Station Riverland
• Bellbrae Estate Geelong
• Box Stallion Mornington Peninsula
• Brown Brothers King Valley
• Bullers Beverford Swan Hill
• Casella Riverina
• Chalk Hill Winery McLaren Vale
• Chateau Tanunda Barossa Valley
• Crittenden at Dromana Mornington Peninsula
• Cumulus Wines Orange
• De Bortoli Riverina
• Dominic Versace Wines Adelaide Plains
• Dos Rios Swan Hill
• Evans and Tate Margaret River
• Foxey's Hangout Mornington Peninsula
• Gapsted Alpine Valleys
• Glandore Estate Hunter Valley
• Gracebrook Vineyards King Valley
• Grant Burge Barossa Valley
• Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley
• Jeanneret Wines Clare Valley
• Jindalee Estate Geelong
• Lake Breeze Langhorne Creek
• Lillypilly Estate Riverina
• Logan Wines Mudgee
• Pertaringa McLaren Vale
• Redbank Victoria King Valley
• Sam Miranda Wines King Valley
• Southern Highland Wines Southern Highlands
• Symphony Hill Wines Granite Belt
• T'Gallant Mornington Peninsula
• Tempus Two Hunter Valley
• Terra Felix Upper Goulburn
• The Grapes of Ross Barossa Valley
• The Wanderer Yarra Valley
• Tower Estate Hunter Valley
• Trentham Estate Murray Darling
• Westend Estate Riverina
• Wirra Wirra McLaren Vale
• Zilzie Wines Murray Darling

Food pairing with Moscato wine

There are several options for food pairing with Moscato wine

• The wines are low in alcohol and are ideal for drinking without food, perhaps on a hot afternoon before dinner.
• The light sweet style is also well matched with light appetiser foods
• Moscato is ideal with a refresher course during a heavy meal, for example you may decide to serve a glass of Moscato with a palate cleansing sorbet after a rich course
• With dessert Moscato is an ideal accompaniment to creamy or cheesy dishes. If you enjoy a rich chocolate dessert a light Moscato could provide a pleasing contrast.