Want to know more about sparkling wine styles like Moscato d’Asti vs Champagne? This comparison guide has everything you need to know to get started.
Moscato d’Asti is a sweet, refreshing wine from the Asti DOCG in Italy, while Champagne is a classic, dry sparkling wine from the Champagne region in France. In this post, we’ll compare Moscato d’Asti and Champagne regarding flavor profile, acidity levels, sweetness, grapes used, and food pairings.
Moscato d’Asti vs Champagne Flavor Comparison
Moscato d’Asti is known for its fruity, floral flavor profile. It’s made from Moscato Bianco grapes grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. This Italian wine has a lower alcohol level, around 5-7% ABV, and is made in a stainless steel tank to preserve fresh, crisp flavors. Moscato d’Asti has a natural sweetness due to the residual sugar in the wine. The wine is also slightly carbonated, giving it a light and refreshing mouthfeel. Its flavor notes include peach, apricot, and honey, making it an excellent choice for those with a sweet tooth.
Champagne, on the other hand, is a more complex wine with a range of flavors. It’s made from a blend of international grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier in the Champagne region of France. Champagne has a higher alcohol level, around 11-12% ABV, and is known for its classic production method involving secondary bottle fermentation. This results in a high level of carbonation and a fine, persistent mousse. Champagne’s flavor profile includes citrus, brioche, and toast notes, making it a versatile wine for food pairings.
Acidity Levels, Sweetness, and Wine Grapes
Moscato d’Asti has a crisp acidity that balances out its natural sweetness. Its acidity levels range from 5.5 to 6.5 grams per liter, making it a refreshing wine that pairs well with light, fruity desserts, such as fresh berries or sorbet. Moscato d’Asti’s level of sweetness varies from semi-sweet to sweet, with around 90-120 grams of sugar per liter. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer a sweeter wine.
Champagne has a higher level of acidity, ranging from 6 to 8 grams per liter. This acidity helps balance the wine’s dryness and create a refreshing mouthfeel. Champagne’s sweetness level varies, from very dry to sweet, depending on the style. Brut Champagne, for example, has less than 12 grams of sugar per liter, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a drier wine. Champagne’s acidity and dryness make it a versatile wine that pairs well with various foods, from oysters to fried chicken.
Food Pairings
Moscato d’Asti pairs well with light, fruity desserts such as peach cobbler or fresh berries. Its natural sweetness also makes it an excellent pairing for spicy foods like Thai or Indian cuisine. Moscato d’Asti’s low alcohol level and refreshing flavors make it an excellent wine for outdoor summer events.
Conversely, Champagne is a versatile wine that pairs well with a wide range of foods. Its high acidity and dryness make it a perfect pairing for oysters, sushi, or fried chicken. Champagne’s complexity and depth of flavor also make it an excellent choice for a range of foods, from cheese plates.
Comparing Moscato d’Asti vs Champagne Wine Bottles
Moscato d’Asti is a fruity, refreshing Italian wine perfect for sipping on warm summer evenings. In comparison, Champagne is a classic French wine perfect for special occasions. In this article, we’ll compare three specific Moscato d’Asti wines with three French Champagnes, with a wine critic score of 90 or higher.
Moscato d’Asti Wines
The following Moscato d’Asti wines will give you an introduction to this popular Italian sparkling wine. For another perspective on Italian vs French sparkling wines, see my guide: Prosecco vs Champagne.
Saracco Moscato d’Asti 2020 – 92 Points
The Saracco Moscato d’Asti is a high-quality wine from the Asti DOCG region of Italy. This wine is made from 100% Moscato Bianco grapes and has a residual sugar content of around 130 grams per liter. The fermentation process is carried out in a tank with yeast (i.e., not Méthode Champenoise), resulting in gentle bubbles and a light, refreshing mouthfeel. The wine has notes of apricot, apple, and other stone fruits, making it a perfect pairing for light desserts or spicy foods.
Vietti Moscato d’Asti Cascinetta 2019 – 91 Points
The Vietti Moscato d’Asti Cascinetta is another excellent wine from the Asti DOCG region of Italy. This wine is made from a native grape – Moscato Bianco – with a residual sugar content of around 120 grams per liter. The fermentation process is carried out in a tank with yeast, resulting in light and gentle bubbles. The wine has typical Moscato d’Asti notes of peach, apricot, and honey, making it a perfect pairing for light desserts or spicy foods.
Ceretto Moscato d’Asti 2019 – 90 Points
The Ceretto Moscato d’Asti is a high-quality wine from the Asti DOCG region of Italy. This wine is made from 100% Moscato Bianco grapes and has a residual sugar content of around 140 grams per liter. The fermentation process is carried out in a tank with yeast, resulting in light and gentle bubbles. The wine has notes of peach, apricot, and honey and a refreshing acidity that balances out its sweetness. It’s a perfect wine for a warm summer evening or a light dessert.
French Champagne Wines
Sparkling wines made in the champagne wine region use the Méthode Traditionnelle (also known as the Méthode Ancestrale). That wine-making method is relatively expensive, so be prepared to pay higher prices for these beautiful wines.
Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label – 92 Points
The Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label is a classic Champagne perfect for special occasions. This wine is made from a blend of international grape varieties with a high-quality level of around 9 grams per liter. The fermentation process is carried out in the bottle, resulting in fine and persistent bubbles. The wine has notes of fruity notes of apple, and citrus. The wine is versatile for food pairings.
Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne 2010 – 95 Points
Made in the traditional method, this classic wine is one of the most popular and loved styles of wine in the sparkling wine world.
The Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne is a premium Champagne perfect for celebrating special occasions. This wine is made from a blend of international grapes with a sugar level of around 6 grams per liter. The fermentation process is carried out in the bottle, resulting in fine and persistent bubbles. The wine has typical Champagne notes of citrus, toast, and honey, making it versatile for food pairings.
