Moscato Archives - Winervana

Bartenura Sparkling Moscato Rosé — Bartinura Sparkling Moscato Rosé

Bartinura Rosé

The name “Bartenura” comes from a 15th-century Italian rabbi, Ovadia ben Avraham of Bertinoro (known as “Bartenura”). Bartenura is considered the largest-selling kosher Italian wine brand, and one of the most successful kosher wine imports globally.

This estate-bottled Bartinura Sparkling Moscato Rosé, made from 100% Moscato grapes, is a light refreshing bubbly that maintains a nice balance between sweetness and acidity. Perfect to drink while watching the sunset on a summer night.

This wine is a moderate crimson in the glass. The nose offers delicate fragrances of floral, honeysuckle, and raspberry. The palate includes strawberry and melon. Serve chilled.

It will accompany seafood, lighter grilled meats and veggies, and pair especially well with fruits (try grilled nectarines or peaches!) and dessert. Great for parties, too. On warmer days, enjoy it with hors d’ oeuvres on the patio or sipping ice-cold poolside. It has been flash pasteurized for mevushal certification making it suitable for certain kosher dietary observances. ABV is an easy-drinking 7.5%

bartinura.com

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Byington Alliage Cabernet and Field of Dreams Moscato Byington Winery

In this post, I’m reviewing two distinctly different wines: Byington Alliage Cabernet and Field of Dreams Moscato

Byington Alliage Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

This Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon comes from an Iowa farmboy who amassed enough wealth as a northern California industrialist that he was able to realize his dream of becoming a winery owner.

Along with the primary grape, it features 11% Cabernet Franc and 9% Syrah, both of which enhance its structure. There is also a very slight sweetness reminiscent of cassis and raisins, as well as a hint of licorice. The lingering and pronounced tannins will appeal to some, while others will want to hold this wine in the cellar for three or four years to allow the tannins to soften. The inky density and good legs suggest such patience will be rewarded. Let this wine breathe for 30 minutes or so before pouring. Then, serve with mildly seasoned pork or chicken.

byington.wine/products/2014-byington-cabernet-sauvignon-alliage

Byington Field of Dreams Moscato 2006

Although made in the Italian Asti style, this Moscato actually comes from Australia’s Barossa Valley. It is one of the few varietals that, when turned to wine, tastes as fresh as the grape from which it is made.

Yes, it is sweet, but not cloying. And although there are tiny bubbles in the glass, there is no fizz. If you like Coke or Pepsi with dinner, you could pair it with the entree, but I’d save it for dessert, especially fresh fruit or delicate cookies.

With an alcohol content of only 8%, it would even be welcome at weekend brunch with waffles or pancakes, instead of the more traditional champagne.

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A Note About Vintages

Although you will see vintage dates throughout Winervana, I don’t put too much importance on them. Major producers these days strive for a consistent style, and largely succeed. For instance, when shopping for a particular wine, if you have a choice between a current release and one that’s a few years old, there will certainly be differences in price and the character of the wine. But upon release, those two examples of the same wine are likely to be quite similar, especially for New World producers, who often enjoy more reliably consistent weather than Old World producers do. (Of course, global climate change may disrupt things for everybody.)

Wine Enthusiast has an interesting post about this here.