I had a really beautiful time learning about Moscato D’Asti at the Moscato D’Asto D.O.C.G. Masterclass. This Masterclass was held in the Penthouse of the gorgeous Four Seasons Hotel and featured not only the wines but the Italian Wine Makers. We participated in a presentation, a tasting, brunch and another tasting.
The room was filled with various individuals from the wine industry, like sommeliers, writers, buyers and bloggers. It is not often that you get to meet Italian Winemakers face to face like we did today. Before we got started our moderator James Beard Award winning writer, Lyn Farmer, explained to us what the difference was between regular Moscato and Moscato D’Asti. He also spoke to us about what regions in Italy produce the wines that we would be tasting. We got to speak to the winemakers and ask them questions. Some of them spoke very little English and had to have a translator. As descendants of the original owners of these wineries, each one of them spoke about the family history of the wineries that they represented.
Here is a listing of who was in the house and the wines/wineries they represented:
Andrea Costa – Scrapona Moscato D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2017 – Marenco Vini
Gianpiero Scavino – Moscato D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2017 – Vignaioli Di Santo Stefano – Ceretto
Stefano Chiarlo – Nivole Moscato D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2017 – Michele Chiarlo
Marco Dogliotti – La Caudrina Moscato D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2017 – Caudrina
Luigi Coppo – Moncalvina Moscato D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2017 – Coppo
I had a great time with Andrea Costa (Marenco Vini). He took a selfie with me and invited me to his winery if I’m ever in Italy!
These were some of the most delicious wines that I have ever tasted. I prefer Sweet White wines so Moscato has always been a favorite for me. Up until now I never knew there was a difference between “Moscato” and “Moscato D’Asti” but there is. The words “D’Asti” signify that these Moscato wines were made from grapes that come ONLY from the Asti region in Piedmont, Italy. The “D.O.C.G.” guarantees the designation of the origin. There are many other difference such as taste, percentage of alcohol and of course the 500 year old history of its existence.
We got to taste 5 Moscato D’Asti D.O.C.G.’s and each was perfectly paired with either Italian Salumi or Provolone Valpadana PDO, you could really taste the differences in each wine. They were all brilliantly sweet & crisp but you might taste different fruits in one and various floral flavorings in others.
After the Tasting we were treated to a divine brunch. Some of the items on the menu were:
White Bean & Roasted Leek Salad Fresno Shallot Vinaigrette
Boursin Whipped Potatoes
Oven Roasted Pork Loin Caramelized Georgia Apples Calvados Jus
Tapenade Roast Beef Filet Medallions Red Wine Demi
Grilled Mahi Mahi Shaved Fennel Citrus Butter
We devoured the following desserts: Pumpkin Orange Verrine, Chocolate Raspberry Entremet and Biscoff Cream Pie
While we devoured our desserts we were treated to another tasting. This one presented all Red Wines, also D’Asti D.O.C.G. from the same Italian wineries. Here are the wines that we got to taste:
La Solista Barbera D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2015 – Caudrina
Pomorosso Barbera D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2014 – Coppo
Piemonte Albarossa D’Asti D.O.C. 2014 – Marenco Vini
Cerequio Barolo D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2013 – Michele Chiarlo
Ceretto Barbaresco – D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2015 – Ceretto
It was a lot in just a few hours but I absorbed as much as I could. I really enjoyed the Moscato D’Asti D.O.C.G. Master Class. I plan to use the knowledge that I received as I continue to navigate Wine and its culture. I will never look at Moscatos the same again!
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