Moscato Wine Collection
Discover the delightfully aromatic world of Moscato, from lightly sparkling Australian styles to Italy's elegant Moscato d'Asti. Our collection showcases sweet, refreshing Moscato wines with vibrant fruit character and floral aromatics, offering exceptional quality at great value prices.
The Moscato Tradition
Moscato is one of the world's oldest and most aromatic grape varieties, producing sweet wines celebrated for their intense floral and fruit aromatics, low alcohol, and refreshing character. The variety's distinctive grapey, musky aroma (hence the name, derived from 'muscat') makes it instantly recognisable and universally appealing.
Moscato wines range from lightly sparkling (frizzante) to fully sparkling, still to sweet, creating diverse styles that share the variety's signature aromatic intensity and approachable sweetness. The wines' low alcohol (typically 5-7.5% ABV) and natural sweetness make them perfect for casual enjoyment, celebrations, and introducing newcomers to wine.
Australian Moscato Regions
King Valley, Victoria – Australia's Moscato heartland, the King Valley's cool climate and Italian heritage have made it the country's premier region for this variety. Located in northeastern Victoria at elevations of 150-800 metres, the valley's diverse topography creates varied microclimates ideal for aromatic varieties.
The King Valley's temperate climate features warm days moderated by altitude and cool nights, creating significant diurnal temperature variation. This allows Moscato grapes to develop intense aromatics and natural sugars whilst retaining the crisp acidity essential for balanced sweet wines. The region's Italian immigrant community brought Moscato expertise from Piedmont, establishing production traditions that honour European heritage whilst embracing Australian innovation.
Brown Brothers, the King Valley's pioneering winery, has championed Australian Moscato since the 1980s, creating the lightly sparkling, sweet style that has become hugely popular. Their Moscato displays vibrant grape, lychee, and rose petal aromatics with refreshing spritz and balanced sweetness.
Yarra Valley, Victoria – Victoria's premier cool-climate region produces elegant Moscato with pronounced aromatics and fine balance. The Yarra Valley's temperate maritime climate, varied elevations, and diverse soils create ideal conditions for aromatic varieties.
Yarra Valley Moscato often incorporates pink Moscato varieties, creating rosé-hued wines with additional berry fruit character. Innocent Bystander's Pink Moscato exemplifies this style, offering vibrant pink colour, strawberry and rose aromatics, and refreshing sweetness.
Heathcote, Victoria – Whilst renowned for Shiraz, Heathcote's warm continental climate and ancient Cambrian soils also produce distinctive Moscato. The region's warm days and cool nights create intensely aromatic grapes with concentrated flavours.
Rutherglen, Victoria – Famous for fortified Muscats, Rutherglen also produces lighter Moscato styles. The region's warm climate creates richly flavoured grapes with pronounced sweetness and aromatic intensity.
Italian Moscato Regions
Asti, Piedmont (Italy) – The spiritual home of Moscato d'Asti, this region in northwestern Italy's Piedmont produces the world's most refined and elegant Moscato wines. The area's rolling hills, calcareous clay soils, and temperate continental climate create ideal conditions for Moscato Bianco (white Muscat).
Asti's climate features warm, sunny days and cool nights, with the Tanaro River and surrounding hills moderating temperatures. The region's limestone-rich soils contribute distinctive mineral character and acidity that balances the wine's natural sweetness.
Moscato d'Asti DOCG represents Italian Moscato's pinnacle—lightly sparkling (frizzante), low alcohol (5-6.5% ABV), and delicately sweet wines with extraordinary aromatic complexity. The wines display white peach, orange blossom, honey, and grape aromatics with fine bubbles, refreshing acidity, and elegant sweetness.
Paolo Saracco produces benchmark Moscato d'Asti, showcasing the style's refinement and balance. The wine's low alcohol and natural sweetness make it perfect for afternoon enjoyment, dessert pairing, or celebratory occasions.
Moscato Styles
Australian Moscato (Frizzante) – The most popular style in Australia, these lightly sparkling wines feature gentle effervescence, vibrant fruit aromatics, and refreshing sweetness. Australian Moscato typically displays 5-7.5% alcohol with residual sugar creating off-dry to sweet profiles.
Expect aromas of grape, lychee, rose petal, orange blossom, and tropical fruit, with flavours of sweet grape, stone fruit, and floral notes. The light spritz enhances refreshment, making these wines perfect for warm weather, outdoor occasions, and casual enjoyment. Brown Brothers Moscato exemplifies this approachable, fruit-forward style.
Flavoured Moscato – Contemporary Australian Moscatos incorporate natural fruit flavours, creating distinctive expressions. Brown Brothers Lush Lychee Moscato emphasises the variety's natural lychee character, creating intensely aromatic, exotic wines.
Pink Moscato – Rosé-hued Moscatos made from pink Moscato varieties or blended with red grapes, adding strawberry and berry fruit character to the variety's floral aromatics. These wines display beautiful pink colour, vibrant fruit character, and refreshing sweetness.
Moscato d'Asti DOCG (Italy) – Italy's elegant interpretation, Moscato d'Asti features delicate bubbles, lower alcohol (5-6.5% ABV), and refined sweetness. The style emphasises aromatic purity and balance, creating sophisticated wines that pair beautifully with desserts or serve as aperitifs.
Italian Moscato d'Asti displays white peach, apricot, orange blossom, acacia honey, and sage aromatics with fine, persistent bubbles and refreshing acidity balancing natural sweetness. The wines are designed for immediate enjoyment, showcasing peak freshness and aromatic intensity.
Alcohol-Free Moscato – Modern techniques enable alcohol-free Moscato that maintains the variety's aromatic character and sweet profile. Brown Brothers Moscato Zero offers the Moscato experience without alcohol, perfect for those avoiding alcohol whilst enjoying wine's flavours.
Winemaking Approach
Moscato production emphasises preserving the variety's delicate aromatics and fresh fruit character:
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Early harvest – Grapes picked at moderate ripeness to retain acidity and aromatic intensity
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Cool fermentation – Temperature-controlled fermentation preserving delicate aromatics
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Arrested fermentation – Stopping fermentation early to retain natural sweetness and low alcohol
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Carbonation – Adding gentle bubbles through tank method (Charmat) or natural fermentation
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Minimal intervention – Avoiding oak and extended ageing to preserve fresh fruit character
Climate Influences
Successful Moscato production requires specific climatic conditions:
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Moderate temperatures – Warm days developing aromatics and sugars, cool nights preserving acidity
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Diurnal variation – Temperature swings creating aromatic complexity
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Adequate sunshine – Ensuring flavour development and aromatic intensity
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Cool-climate influence – Maintaining freshness and preventing excessive alcohol
Both Australian and Italian Moscato regions benefit from these conditions, creating wines of remarkable aromatic intensity and refreshing character.
Tasting Profile
Moscato wines display distinctive characteristics:
Appearance – Pale straw to golden yellow (white Moscato) or pale to medium pink (pink Moscato), often with fine bubbles creating gentle effervescence.
Aroma – Intensely aromatic with notes of grape, lychee, rose petal, orange blossom, white peach, apricot, honey, and tropical fruit. The aromatics are immediately appealing and instantly recognisable.
Palate – Sweet to off-dry with low alcohol, refreshing acidity, and vibrant fruit flavours mirroring the aromatics. The gentle bubbles enhance refreshment, whilst the balanced sweetness creates approachable, easy-drinking character.
Finish – Clean, refreshing finish with lingering fruit and floral notes.
Serving & Pairing
Serve Moscato well-chilled (6-8°C) to maximise refreshment and aromatic expression. The wines pair beautifully with fruit-based desserts, light pastries, fresh fruit, soft cheeses, and Asian cuisine (particularly Thai and Vietnamese). Moscato's sweetness and low alcohol make it perfect for afternoon enjoyment, brunch, or as a dessert wine.
The wines are best enjoyed young and fresh to appreciate peak aromatic intensity. Consume within 1-2 years of vintage for optimal character.
Explore our Moscato collection and discover these delightfully aromatic, refreshing wines at great value prices.
