Friday Food Finds: Nivole Moscato D'asti

Michele Chiarlo Moscato D’asti Nivole 2008
This lovely sparkling Moscato D’asti from the Piedmonte region of Italy is on my tops list of all time best dessert wines for the price. Its delicate body, gentle sweetness on the palate, and touch of effervescence makes it compatible to such a wide range of flavors, yet it is also quite enchanting enjoyed alone. It’s floral bouquet of tropical fruit, honeysuckle and orange blossom is enough to keep you amused all by itself.
It came to mind of late when I was looking for a use for the last of some beautiful Comice pears. Baking them into a buttery almond tart worked like a dream, and when I served it to some friends after dinner, I knew exactly which wine to pour along side.  While my guests savored every last crumb of the tart, it was the Moscato D’asti they couldn’t stop talking about. Each sip elicited conversation, and when I mentioned the meager price of $13 per bottle, there were shared looks of amazement followed by refills all around.
Served slightly chilled, this wine is delightful all year round, and worth stocking up on for that impromptu hostess gift, dinner party or simply a quiet night spent contemplating the nuances in a glass of sparkling wine.