Tag Archives: moscato

May Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubCarl-Sittman-Riesling-BottleCarl Sittmann
Riesling
Mosel, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The Carl Sittmann Riesling features notes of green apples, pears, and apricots on the nose. Its sweet peach and apple flavors are delicately offset by crisp acidity, ensuring the wine remains elegantly refreshing and not overly sweet.

Analysis: 9.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Region: Mosel, Germany

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Reach for a tangy goat’s milk cheese to complement the wine’s acidity and fruity notes. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Photo and Information © Carl Sittmann – All Rights Reserved

tdo-moscato-bottle-imageTerra d’Oro
Moscato
Amador County, California

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Inviting aromas of honey, white peach, honeysuckle, pineapple and lemon zest lead into vibrant flavors of Meyer lemon, pineapple and a hint of anise. The wine has a pleasing viscosity on the palate and finishes with fresh acidity. This makes the Terra d’Oro Moscato extremely versatile and enjoyable with a meal as well as after it. Try it with spicy Asian cuisine, or a fruit tart.

Analysis: 9.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato
Acidity: 0.63 g/100mL
pH: 3.27

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: If you’re looking for a dessert pairing, mascarpone cheese topped with some tart fruit jam is a fantastic choice. Its creamy texture and mild flavor with a punch from the jam will pair well with the sweetness of Moscato, making it suitable for desserts or as a simple, luxurious treat. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Vineyard Notes:
Moscato, also called Muscat, is grown in nearly every wine-producing region in the world, resulting in an array of styles. It is believed the name derived from the French word “Musque”, meaning “perfumed”— a fitting moniker for this intensely aromatic variety. Grapes were sourced from several select vineyards to create a wine with that perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. 

Winemaker Notes:
When making the Moscato, the goal was to craft a wine that is full of flavor with perceptible sweetness, yet is still light on the palate. The Terra d’Oro Moscato is crafted in a different manner than their other varietals. Grapes are destemmed and crushed in stainless steel tanks and left overnight before pressing. This “cap and drain” method keeps the grapes in contact with their skins for an extended period, delivering greater varietal intensity. After gentle pressing, 70% of the juice is inoculated with yeast. The remaining unfermented juice is kept at a very low temperature and then added back into the blend after fermentation to create a lightly sweet and refreshing wine with a lower alcohol. 

About the Winery:
Amador’s first winery established after Prohibition was founded in 1970 by renowned winemaker Cary Gott, and he released the first wines under the Terra d’Oro label in 1973. Terra d’Oro’s early success with Amador Zinfandel and other wines, in particular Italian varietals, were key in helping re-establish the region’s reputation for fine wine. In 1988, the Trinchero family, which had been purchasing grapes from the Amador region for 20 years, purchased the winery and 240-acre vineyard. Over the years, the family invested in subsequent vineyards, and in early 2000, completed construction of a new, state-of-the-art winery at the site of the original winery, designed to unlock the potential of each acre of Terra d’Oro’s vineyards. Today, Terra d’Oro farms produces award-winning wines from its 800+ acres of sustainably farmed vines in Amador County and the Clarksburg AVA. Learn more about their sustainable practices here.

Photo and Information © Terra d’Oro Winery – All Rights Reserved

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April Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubStella-Rosa-Royale-Bottle ImageStella Rosa
Stella Royale Rosso
Veneto, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

With its higher alcohol content, yet still smooth finish, Stella Rosa Royale retains that delicious semi-sweet nature with its fresh natural flavors of raspberries, strawberries and other red berries. This is the perfect wine to pair with any food, just remember to serve it chilled.

Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Primary Grape Varietal: Barbera, Brachetto, Nebbiolo

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: A creamy, yet tangy, blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort can provide a bold flavor contrast to the sweetness of the wine. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

About the Winery:
It all started in 1917, when the Riboli family founded Los Angeles’ historic San Antonio Winery. Back then, Los Angeles was the prime location for wine growing in all of California. For some time, the wine industry reigned as one of Southern California’s most economically significant and popular industries of that time. After surviving Prohibition and about a century later, the Riboli family has continued its artisan winemaking tradition through four generations. Within the tasting rooms of San Antonio Winery, customers repeatedly requested a sweeter, light, refreshing wine. The Riboli family took this unique opportunity to create a new semi-sweet, semi-sparkling wine style, which today, they are the leader. And so, Stella Rosa was born. Learn more here.

Wine Cocktail: Berry Regal
Try this delicious wine cocktail at your next brunch:

  • 2 oz Stella Rosa Royale
  • 1 oz Grand Marnier
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen raspberries
  • 1 cup frozen blackberries
  • agave (to taste)
  • Add Grand Marnier, frozen fruits, and agave to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glass and stir in Stella Rosa® Royale.

Photo and Information © Stella Rosa and San Antonio Winery – All Rights Reserved

Moscato-Asti_Bottle ImageVietti
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Castiglione Falletto, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Bright straw-yellow in color with slightly shimmering hints of gold. This wine has intense aromas of ripe yellow fruit (peach and apricot), floral notes (rose petals and acacia flowers) and ginger. Sweet and delicate on the palate, with the modest acidity, good balance and complexity. Hints of fresh apricot on the finish.

Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: The nutty and salty flavors of Parmigiano-Reggiano can provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the wine. Its firm texture and complex flavor profile make it an excellent pairing option. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Winemaking:
The grapes are sourced from small vineyards in Castiglione Tinella, with 4,500 plants per hectare. The vines, cultivated with the Guyot-system have an average age of 40 years. Limestone and clay-rich soil.

The grapes are harvested by hand in and around late August/early September. The vinification begins with a gentle pressing of the grapes and natural cold decanting. The must is stored at a very low temperature in stainless-steel tanks to avoid spontaneous fermentation. Throughout the year, individual portions of the must are put in an autoclave at a temperature of 12-14 degrees to initiate alcohol fermentation. When 5.5% alcohol by volume is reached, the temperature is quickly reduced to stop the fermentation. The wine, which is only partially fermented, is then filtered. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation and is bottled using sterile filtration, to maintain its natural freshness, aromas and fine bubbles.

About the Winery:
Almost 150 years have passed since its foundation. It was the end of 1800 when Carlo Vietti started the Vietti winery, right in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto. In the very same place where it is located today. Vietti is renowned for its commitment to crafting exceptional wines that express the unique terroir of Piedmont. From their iconic Barolo to elegant Barbera and beyond, each bottle reflects a harmonious balance of tradition and innovation. Embracing sustainable practices, Vietti’s vineyards yield grapes of unparalleled quality, resulting in wines that captivate enthusiasts worldwide. Passion, heritage, and a deep connection to the land define Vietti, making it a cherished gem of Italian winemaking. Learn more here.

Photo and Information © Vietti – All Rights Reserved

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November Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubTropical_Blueberry_bottleTropical Moscato
Blueberry Moscato
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Ruby-red in color, with both fruity and floral aromas. On the palate, it is sweet and smooth. There are distinct notes of the real blueberries used to make this naturally flavored Moscato.

  • Varietal: 95% Moscato, 5% All Natural Italian Blueberries
  • Residual Sugar: 110 g/L
  • Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
  • Producer: Luca Bosio
  • Viticulture: The Moscato grapes for this wine come from vineyards located in Santo Stefano Belbo villages, at 200 to 300 feet above sea level
  • Vinification: Vinification without skins. Five days of fermentation in steel tanks at a low temperature of 59ºF. All natural real blueberries from the Italian Alps are then added for a contact period of 24 hours.
  • Serving Hints: Tropical Blueberry Moscato is delicious when enjoyed on its own. It also makes an excellent addition to craft cocktail recipes. Try one of their cocktail recipes here >

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: The Blueberry Moscato from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a dessert cheese such as a Blueberry Stilton. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Tropical_Strawberry_bottleTropical Moscato
Strawberry Moscato
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This Moscato comes from a grape variety that has probably the highest level of complex aromas of any Piedmont grape. The Strawberry Moscato wine has the distinctive Moscato aroma and flavor, with added complexity from the real strawberries sourced from the Italian Alps. In every bottle of Tropical Strawberry Moscato, there are approximately 10 real strawberries inside.

  • Varietal: 95% Moscato, 5% All Natural Italian Strawberries
  • Residual Sugar: 120 g/L
  • Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
  • Producer: Luca Bosio
  • Viticulture: The Moscato grapes for this wine come from vineyards located in Santo Stefano Belbo villages, at 200 to 300 feet above sea level.
  • Vinification: Vinification without skins. Five days of fermentation in steel tanks at a low temperature of 59ºF. All natural real blueberries from the Italian Alps are then added for a contact period of 24 hours.
  • Serving Hints: Tropical Strawberry Moscato is delicious when enjoyed on its own. It also makes an excellent addition to craft cocktail recipes. Try one of their cocktail recipes here >

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: The Strawberry Moscato from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a soft or pungent cheese such as a creamy brie or Camembert cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Tropical Strawberry Moscato Lemonade in a large pitcher

Tropical Strawberry Moscato Lemonade

ABOUT THE WINE:
Where Italy meets the Tropics—flows Tropical Moscato, a sparkling wine made from premium Moscato from Piedmont, Italy. The wines are infused with 100% real fruit in every bottle; real passion fruit and mango from Brazil, Italian white peaches, cranberries, strawberries and blueberries from the Italian Alps, grapefruit and limes from Sicily and ginger from Vietnam. Tropical’s second line, Tropical Lux Mango and Passion Fruit Moscato, is only 90 calories with 5.5% alcohol. There are never any artificial ingredients or added sugar. Tropical Moscato is the brainchild of Italian winemaker Luca Bosio. Charismatic and dynamic, Luca is the third generation of his family to tend to the approximately 60 acres of gently sloping hillsides of Italy’s Northeastern Piedmont region. Luca’s Masters of Oenology education enabled him to utilize technological innovations such as the development and use of native yeasts and decreasing the use of chemical additives like sulphur dioxide. He also created new techniques to preserve the aroma and structure of Moscato.  Try on of their seaonal cocktail recipes here >

Information and photos © Quintessential Wines and Tropical Moscato – All Rights Reserved.

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October Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubPitule-Moscato-Bottle ImagePitulé
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Pitulé Moscato d’Asti is a classic semi-sweet sparkling wine. It is yellow straw in color with gold reflections. It is deliciously sweet with bright, fruity grape flavors, a refreshing, yet delicate honey and peach finish, and a slight spritz.

  • Varietal: 100% Moscato
  • Appellation: Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
  • Vinification: Grapes are gently pressed and the juice is kept cold to prevent total fermentation. This retains a small amount of residual sugar in the wine.
  • Food Pairing: Classic wine for desserts and fruit. Served chilled.
  • Critical Acclaim: 90 pts. James Suckling – 2020

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with any rich, soft cheeses such as a goat’s milk cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Pitulé is produced by the Sperone family who have been making affordable premium wines for four generations. In 1911, Antonio Sperone opened a small wine shop in Torino where he sold bulk wine directly to consumers. Unsatisfied with the quality and price of the local wine, Antonio started his own winery in Puglia and built a bottling facility in Torino. He was soon able to offer his customers quality wines at prices everyone could afford. Sadly, it was destroyed when the city was bombed in WWII. The winery in Puglia survived the war and enabled Antonio’s grandson Giacomo to open a new facility in 1965 near Milan where he produced vermouth, sparkling wines, spirits and fine wines. In 1983, the family purchased 75 acres of prime vineyards in Piedmont and built the current winery in the small town of Mombaruzzo just outside Monferrato.

Information and photos © Pitulé – All Rights Reserved.

Bitch-Bubbly-Rose-Bottle-ImageBitch Wines
Bubbly Sparkling Rosé
Penedes, Spain

NECTAR WINE STYLE

With hues of Honeycrisp apple and scarlet, this wine has a strawberry mousse and a petillant style of bubbles that are slightly softer than traditional sparklers. There are notes of sweet red berries and a red cherry conserve on the nose. The palate highlights flavors of strawberry jam with the added depth of red cherries and currants. The fruit sweetness is balanced with the crisp refreshing tang of the bubbles.

  • Blend: Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo, Carignan
  • Elaboration: Skin Contact Method. According to Methode Ancestrale – a traditional method of making sparkling wine that is, in fact, the world’s most ancient. The wine is bottled before the primary fermentation is finished, delivering a lower pressure, lightly sparkling wine in the petillant style. The wine is finished without the addition of secondary yeasts or sugars.

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
“After a fateful trip to Australia in the late 90’s, Dan Phillips was hooked on Grenache. There to publish a story about Shiraz for Food & Wine, shortly after, Dan invested his life savings in a container of Shiraz and was off and running. Grenache soon took over his life. Dan purchased all the Australian Grenache he could from Northern Barossa. This was around the early 2000’s when Grenache was looked down upon, mainly because people associated Grenache with White Grenache, a grape used to make cheap, sweeter wines. Stuck with 1000’s of cases of Grenache-labeled wine that he could not sell, Dan had a problem. Not one to shrink from a challenge, he enlisted the help of world-famous font designer, Jeff Keedy to help produce a new brand for his beloved Grenache. After hours of brainstorming (and numerous bottles of wine) Jeff seized on an idea of Dan’s to call his new brand, Bitch. According to Dan, “Bitch is an ugly sounding, and looking, harsh word. His (Jeff’s) challenge was to make it beautiful. He decided to create a custom font for Bitch.” The Bitch font was created (left) as well as the dagger in the heart logo, which Dan believes is just as responsible for the success of the brand as the word. The word was left to exist on its own to allow consumers to bring their own experience to it. To sum it all up, Dan says, “Bitch is a verb, to bitch about life, which is our logo, the dagger in the heart, and the essence of wine drinking as it is the essence of blues music and life itself. It is WHY we drink wine. As I say, ‘life’s a bitch and then we drink.’” – Grape Expectations

Information and photos © Grape Expectations and the Grateful Palate – All Rights Reserved.

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July Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine Clubcaposaldo_moscato_blue_bottleCaposaldo
Moscato
Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Made using handpicked grapes from 20-year-old guyot-trained vines, this Moscato is bright golden yellow in color, with an assertive mix of exotic fruit with spicy aromas that create a fresh, vivacious and highly polished palate. 

Varietal: 100% Moscato Bianco
Analysis: 7% alcohol / volume
Grapes: 100% handpicked
Region: Lombardy, Italy
Appellation: Provincia di Pavia IGT
RS: 110 g/L
TA: 6.2 g/L
pH: 3.18
Pairing: Fresh fruits, fruit pies, and tarts
Critical Acclaim: 98 points – Sunset International Wine Competition | 94 points – Winemaker Challenge International

Winery Notes:
Caposaldo Moscato comes from the cool, maritime climate of Provincia di Pavia in northern Italy’s Lombardy region. Here the 20-year-old guyot-trained vines benefit from the blend of white marl and chalk soils in the low-yielding hillside vineyards. Grapes are handpicked and then undergo a temperature-controlled fermentation that results in a fine, persistent effervescence.

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: These sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a soft cheese, such as brie. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Summer Sun Collins_CocktailCaposaldo Cocktail Crew – “Summer Sun Collins”:

  • 1 ½ oz Caposaldo Moscato
  • ¾ oz Acqua de Cedro liqueur
  • ½ oz passion fruit syrup
  • ½ oz lemon juice
  • splash of soda water
  • garnish with mint bouquet
  • ENJOY!

© Recipe and photo courtesy of Caposaldo.

MoscatoHeader_Caposaldo

caposaldo_sparkling_peach_bottleCaposaldo
Sparkling Peach Moscato
Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Soft and elegant with lively bubbles, this sweet sparkling wine has intense aromas and flavors of freshly picked peaches, honeysuckle and citrus. 

Analysis: 6.4% alcohol / volume
Grapes: 100% handpicked grapes
Region: Italy
RS: 95 g/L
TA: 4.4 g/L
pH: 3.15
Pairing: Light desserts, such as pastries, sorbet or fresh fruit
Fermentation: A preferred natural second fermentation results in a superior effervescence

Winery Notes:
The grapes grow on the cool hilltops of northern Italy’s Lombardy region, where the northern-lying Alps shield the low-yielding hillside vineyards from harsh weather and the 20-year-old Guyot-trained vines benefit from a superb blend of white marl and chalky soils. During harvest, the fruit is carefully handpicked and pressed. Finally natural peach aromas are added for a truly special wine. 

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: These sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a fresh goat cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Sparkling Peach on the Beach_Caposaldo
Caposaldo Cocktail Crew – “Sparkling Peach on the Beach”:

  • 2 cups of Caposaldo Sparkling Peach
  • 2 oz peach schnapps muddled with peach slices
  • garnish with grapefruit slice
  • ENJOY!

© Recipe and photo courtesy of Caposaldo.

SparklingPeachHeader_Caposaldo

About Caposaldo Winery:
Caposaldo blends a handcrafted, artisanal approach to winemaking with cutting-edge quality standards and techniques, so that it stands as a benchmark of iconic Italian wines. The fruit for each Caposaldo wine is hand harvested from low-yielding vineyards in prime growing areas in the classic wine regions of Tuscany, Veneto and Lombardy. Modern scientific techniques are used in the cellar, including cold temperature stainless steel fermentations and judicious use of oak, resulting in a pure expression of each wine type. Learn more here.

Information and photos © Caposaldo and Kobrand Fire Wine & Spirits – All Rights Reserved.

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February Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine Clubshelf-talker-mosketto-Rosso-bottleMosketto
Rosso
Brachetto
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Mosketto Rosso is produced in the modified Martinotti method from Brachetto grapes. This delicate sweet red wine is medium-ruby color; its palate is persistent with a delicate mousse that invites the senses to discover a nose and palate bursting with ripe fruit and flowers. Its low alcohol content, natural sugar and naturally occurring bubbles make this wine both unsullied and delectable

Varietal: 100% Natural Brachetto Grapes
Analysis: 5.5% alcohol / volume
Acidity: 6 g/L
pH: 3.43
Residual Sugar: 113 g/L (natural sweetness from the fruit, no sugar added).
Appellation: Vino D’Italia
Carbonation: Natural carbonation
Winemaker: Daniele Astegiano
Food Pairings: Enjoyable anytime, but an especially classic accompaniment is with dry pastries, mixed berries and crème brûlée. It also lends itself to contrasting very spicy dishes.
Critical Acclaim:

  • San Diego Wine Competition 2018 – Gold 91

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Don’t be afraid to branch out. This sweet wine from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a blue cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Mosketto is the combination of two famous grapes, Moscato and Brachetto, both locally grown in Piedmont and the base for the brand’s delicious, mildly sweet, naturally bubbly, low-alcohol wines. Mosketto produces three different wines – white, rosé and red – the white wine is made from the Moscato grapes, red is made from Brachetto, and rosé is the blend of the two. The wines are made in the same was as the more classic Moscato D’Asti and Brachetto D’Acqui, but are stopped from fermenting at low alcohol, retaining the natural sugars from the grapes. Mosketto wines are imported by Mack & Schühle, The Wine and Spirits Family.  Learn more here. >

Information © Mack & Schühle – All Rights Reserved.

Acquesi-Asti-bottleAcquesi
Asti DOCG
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This Asti has a delicate, pale-yellow color with an elegant and inviting perlage. The bouquet consists of honey, peach and a touch of citrus.

Varietal: 100% Moscato Bianco di Canelli
Analysis: 7% alcohol / volume
Acidity: 6 g/L
pH: 3.25
Residual Sugar: 95 g/L
Appellation: Monferrato
Soil: Sandy, clay and limestone
Winemaker: Daniele Astegiano
Food Pairings: Enjoy on its own, with spicy Asian cuisine, or with more traditional pairings such as desserts and dry pastries. Serve at 39.2ºF-42.8ºF
Critical Acclaim:

  • 2020 “World Champion” – The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships
  • 2020 “Regional Champion” – The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships
  • 2020 Gold Medal – The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships
  • 2020 “Best in Class” – The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships
  • 2019 “World Champion” – The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships
  • Silver – Berlin Wine Trophy
  • Gold – World Wine Championships

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: This sweet wine from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a soft cheese, such as a brie. The bubbles help to cleanse the palate and refresh it for another bite. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

WINEMAKING:
This wine is produced using the Martinotti Method, allowing the winemakers to preserve the pure varietal aromas of the grape. The wines are placed in a large pressurized vat, where the natural sugars and the yeast create a secondary fermentation, creating delicate, frothy bubbles.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Known for its Traditional Method wines, the Acquesi brand is a territory line paying tribute to its host city, Acqui Terme. In the early 20th century, the city was known for its Art Nouveau style, which is reflected in the art on the bottles of their wines. Its particular terroir, cultivates native grapes like Cortese and Moscato, resulting in fruity, aromatic and lively wines with a persistent perlage. Acquesi wines are imported by Mack & Schühle, The Wine and Spirits Family. Learn more about the winery here. >

Information © Acquesi and Mack & Schühle – All Rights Reserved.

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February Sweet Club Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubTropical_CranberryTropical Moscato
Cranberry
Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This Moscato comes from a grape variety with quite possibly the highest level of complex aromas of any Piedmont grape. This wine has the distinctive Moscato aroma and flavor, with a unique added complexity from the cranberries from the Italian Alps. The Moscato grape’s sweetness is perfectly balanced by the tartness, acidity and slight spice from the ripe cranberries.

Analysis: 5.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 95% Moscato, 4% Small Alpine Cranberry Pulp, 1% Natural Cranberry Aroma
TA: 6 g/L
RS: 120 g/L
Serving Suggestion: Great as an aperitif, or serve as an accompaniment to fruits, aged cheeses, or a hazelnut cake.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
The Moscato grapes for this wine come from vineyards located in the Santo Stefano Belbo villages, at 200 to 300 ft. above sea level. Vinification is via autoclave, according to the Charmat Method, until it reaches 5.0% alcohol. Then, wine undergoes cold fermentation and ageing in stainless steel vats for one month, after which time it is blended with the cranberry pulp and bottled.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Tropical Moscato takes premium Moscato from Asti, a commune located in Italy’s famed Piedmont region, and combines their wines with 100% real fruit. Their wines are highly aromatic and burst with all-natural, vivacious flavors. Learn more here.

SPUMANTI-PIZZOLATO-MUSE-MOSCATO-DOLCELa Cantina Pizzolato
Pizzolato Moscato
Treviso, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Bright gold in color, this Moscato has aromas of honeysuckle, ripe apricot, and angel food cake. The palate is medium to full bodied with a balanced, round, vibrant, sweet, smooth and refreshing flavor. The wine highlights notes of peach nectar, sweet apple, honey, and orange marmalade. 

Analysis: 6.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato (Muscat)
Appellation: Moscato I.G.T.
RS: 89 g/L
Acidity: 5.4 g/L
Vineyard: The estate is located in the countryside north of Treviso, Italy. The vineyards are situated on the plains and hillsides near the Piave River.
Vinification: Soft pressing, then the must remains in the steel pressurized tanks, with Charmat method for 2 months, reaching a pressure up to 2.5 atm.
Terroir: Calcareous clay-based soil
Training System: Cordon spur training
Certification: BIOS
Notable: Vegan, organically grown grapes
Serving Suggestions: Enjoy with an herbal or spicy cheese such as a Gorgonzola; or serve alone as a dessert wine. Serve 46º-50ºF.
Critical Acclaim:

  • 90 points – Vinitaly “5StarWines”

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with herbal and spicy cheeses. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
The Farm Pizzolato Settimo & Gino was founded in 1981, farming livestock and growing grapes, kiwi, peaches, strawberries, apples and pears. During this time, grapes and wine were the top products of the farm, however, it wasn’t until 1987 when the winery decided to finally bottle all the types of wine that were produced. In 1991, the farm and winery officially gained organic certification, and today the winery continues to grow, producing organic, vegan and sustainably grown wines. Learn more about their story here.

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January Sweet Club Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubRoscato-Bianco-Label-Update-Bottle-ShotwebRoscato
Bianco Dolce
Northern Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Pale straw in color with fine, delicate bubbles, the Bianco Dolce has delicate aromas of peach, yellow apples and candied citrus. The palate is sweet, yet refreshing with a lingering finish.

Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Blend of native and international grape varieties
TA: 5.70 g/L
RS: 95 g/L
Region: Northern Italy
Appellation: Trevenezie IGT
Vinification: Each variety is harvested and vinified separately, allowing the grapes to reach perfect ripeness. Following de-stemming, the must is macerated with the skins allowing it to retain maximum fragrance. The must is kept at a low temperature until fermentation, at which point the varieties are blended together. When the wine has reached an alcohol content of 8%, fermentation is interrupted by lowering temperature to approximately 32°F leaving a high level of natural residual sugar.
Notable: Vegan, gluten free
Serving Suggestions: Highly versatile, the Bianco Dolce is a great aperitif and equally great with white meats, classic Italian dishes, and spicy foods. Enjoy well-chilled.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

roscato_moscato_bottle-webRoscato
Moscato
Northern Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This Moscato is straw-yellow in color with vivid greenish reflections. The nose has varied notes of candied citrus, ripe fruit and white flowers. The palate is sweet and fresh in taste with delicate bubbles, and a pleasant, fruity, persistent aftertaste.

Analysis: 7% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Moscato
TA: 5.50 g/L
RS: 100 g/L
Region: Trentino/Veneto
Appellation: Trevenezie IGT
Vinification: The grapes are harvested and vinified to reach perfect ripeness. Following de-stemming, the juice is kept on the skins for several days at low temperatures to extract the fruit’s aromas and retain maximum fragrance.
Notable: Vegan, gluten free
Serving Suggestions: Ideal as a dessert wine, but it also pairs well with delicate cheeses, spicy foods or barbecue dishes.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with delicate cheeses. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT ROSCATO:
Roscato is an irresistible range of high-quality wines from Northern Italy, near the Italian Alps and Lake Garda – the ideal climate for perfect wine-growing conditions. The winery combines traditional grape growing methods with modern winemaking techniques to produce their lively wines. Whether you are a fan of sweet, rich, bold or soft & silky wines, Roscato wines offer a perfect complement to any cuisine. Learn more here.

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December Sweet Club Iowa

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Sweet Wine Clubpiquitos moscato sweet wine clubPiquitos
Moscato
D.O. Valencia, Spain

NECTAR WINE STYLE

A fizzy moscato dedicated to wine lovers without complexes looking for fun and to get a party started.

This Moscato is bright lemon-gold in color with a light pearliness in its appearance. The nose is clean and youthful with heavy floral and fruity notes of mandarin peel, honeysuckle and sweet orange blossom. The palate has a sweetness that coats the mouth, then refreshes itself with the airy bubbles. It is luscious and harmoniously balanced.

Analysis: 11% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscatel
TA: 5.47 g/L
pH: 3.23
RS: 51.2 g/L
V. Acidity: 0.15 g/L
Region: D.O. Valencia, Spain
Vineyard: Valley Valentino & Alto Turia in the heart of Valencia
Age of Vines: 15-20 year-old vines
Yield: 50 hl/ha
Altitude: 200-650 m.
Climate: Warm Mediterranean
Harvest: First fortnight of September
Vinification: Cold Maceration
Fermentation: 53.6-60.8ºF
Aging: Stainless Steel

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY: 
Piquitos is intended to mean “little kisses” in Spanish, as their wines are designed to share their love. Sourced from sunny Mediterranean Coast in Valencia, Spain, Piquitos is made by the team from Hammeken Cellars – an innovative producer and exporter of Spanish wines. Their philosophy is to gather the best local grapes and traditions in Spain and pair those with the “New World” winemaking techniques and styles to produce high quality, fruit forward and fresh wines. Learn more about their company here.

Tintero moscato wineCantine Elvio Tintero
Moscato d’Asti ‘Sori Gramella’
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Delightfully fizzy and slightly sweet, an irresistible combination.

The third generation Tintero family continues the traditions of winemaking in Gramella. “Sori” in Piedmontese indicates the south-facing slope of a hill, that pampers the grapes with 20% more sunshine. Cantine Elvio Tintero are the only producers to sustainable farm and commercially bottle from this striking single-vineyard, limestone amphitheater. Vines were planted in the late 1980’s. Grapes are harvested and pressed, then kept at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks to provide the freshest wine possible.

Analysis: 7% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Moscato
Appellation: Moscato d’Asti, Langhe
RS: 110 g/L
Vine Age: Average 30 years
Soil Type: Clay, limestone with rocks
Vineyard Area: 25 hectares
Producer: Marco Tintero
Founded: 1900
Annual Production: 41,000 cases
Farming: Sustainable

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
The winery’s legacy began in 1900 when a Frenchman named Pierre Tintero set out to Piedmont in search of work. Here, he found a job helping a widow, Rosina Cortese with her small estate, and just a few years later the couple fell in love, married and continued to grow their estate. Passed down from generation to generation, the family eventually took over the adjacent vineyard plots and began growing a small production of Moscato. It wasn’t until 1980, when grandson, Elvio, began experimenting with frizzante wine production, allowing the family to take advantage of the grape’s special affinity to the local terroir. Today, Elvio help’s his son and daughter-in-law run the estate producing fresh, easy and fun wines to drink with friends. Learn more about their story here.

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September Sweet Club Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubLuca_Bosio_Dark_Red_Semi_Sweet_bottle_webLuca Bosio Vineyards
Dark Red Semi Sweet
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Deep red in color, this wine is full of red fruit aromas with notes of wild berries lifted by its crisp acidity. These sweet aromas of ripe red fruits showcase the authenticity of the Brachetto grape. The Dark Red Semi Sweet wine is made with 100% natural fruit and gluten free.

Analysis: 5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Brachetto
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Pairing: Serve slightly chilled on its own or with antipastos, prosciutto, fish and white meats.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“Basic Brachetto is playfully fizzy with two atmospheres of pressure and is known for having low alcohol at 5.5%, a natural range of sweetness. After fermentation, the residual sugar remains relatively high, making the wines sweeter than dry wines. Because the extra sugar stops fermentation early, non-fortified sweet reds tend to be lower in alcohol than dry wines.” – Luca Bosio Vineyards

Luca_Bosio_Moscato_dAsti_bottle_webLuca Bosio Vineyards
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Straw yellow in color, the Moscato d’Asti DOCG is sweet and smooth with notes of fruit and flower on the palate.

Analysis: 5.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato
RS: 130 g/L
Total SO₂: 170 mg/l
Cultivation Area: Santo Stefano Belbo
Vineyard Altitude: 200/300m above sea level
Training System: Guyot
Soil: Clayey-Calcerous soil
Aging: 2 months on its own yeast
Fermentation: 5 days in steel tanks at a low temperature (59° F)
Vinification: Without skins
Pairing: Enjoy as an aperitif or at the end of a meal with fruits, aged cheeses or hazelnut cake.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Located in the center of the Langhe region of Piedmont, Bosio Family Estates was established in 1967 by farmers Egidio and Angela. After being past down through three generations, and with tremendous success, innovation, and support from the family, the company has now taken the name Luca Bosio Vineyards. Learn more here.

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