National Moscato Day
Host or attend a wine-tasting party, mix some Moscato cocktails, take a trip to wine country or just read up about the Muscat grape-based wine known as Moscato.
Wines have always been a popular drink since their origination thousands of years ago. One special drink in the wine family is Moscato, made with a kind of grape that has been used since the Renaissance times of Italy.
National Moscato Day aims to celebrate the history and taste of this delicate wine.
History of National Moscato Day
The viticulture of wine has been known to be around as long as the grapevine. The vine is native to the area south of the Black Sea near the disputed territories of Georgia and Armenia. Wine-making is most believed to have originated in Mesopotamia as early as 3000 BC and helped influence Egypt before dynastic times.
Wine production in Italy is believed to have originated from the influence of the Etruscans civilization who lived in what is known today as Tuscany. It is also likely to have been influenced by the Mesopotamian civilizations before the Greeks brought winemaking to Sicily.
The Romans improved the winemaking process, and thus became famous for their abilities. Even as wine grew and fell in popularity, it continued to be produced by Christian monks during the Renaissance. But it wasn’t until the 19th and 20th centuries that wine production became regulated so that people could finally have realistic expectations about what a bottle of wine might actually be like.
Italian wines have always had a reputation for their variety. Today, Italian wine is considered highly prized for its process and flavor. Those made from the Moscato grape have a uniqueness that can be identified by wine lovers everywhere.
Moscato is made from the Moscato Blanco (or Muscat Canelli) grape, one of the oldest grapes in Italy. Moscato is popular for its variety of flavors, such as light and dry, sweet and sparkling or rich dessert wine. Their sparkling, rich and yet so light flavor is popular as a party drink.
As the third most popular wine in the United States, Moscato has become a popular version of wine to be served at large gatherings, as it is often well-liked by many different people. It has variations such as white, red, and rose to compliment all kinds of delicious foods. So, grab a glass and drink away for National Moscato Day!
How to Celebrate National Moscato Day
Looking for the best way to celebrate National Moscato Day? The good news is that the options are almost endless, as long as the activity involves enjoying a glass (or a bottle) of Moscato. Get started with some of these ideas or come up with some of your own:
Host a Wine-Tasting Party
Gather a group of friends, neighbors, family or coworkers to celebrate the day with a wine tasting event. Serve all different kinds of Moscato from a variety of vineyards. Include some complimentary food with the Moscato, including appetizers such as fancy cheeses and spicy paellas.
Learn About Moscato Wine
Those who have a favorite vineyard or wine company might want to take this opportunity to research that company’s history and learn how they fermented their delicious grapes into Moscato. This fruity and floral wine is perfectly light and refreshing for drinking on a summer day. Here are some other interesting facts about Moscato wine:
- Moscato has a fairly low alcohol content (usually between 5% and 7% alcohol by volume) so it’s great for a hot summer day or to serve at a large party.
- The grape used to make Moscato wines goes by quite a few different names, including Muscat Blanc, Muskateller, Muscat d’Alsace, and Moscatel.
- Muscat grapes are actually one of the oldest known grapes that continue to be produced today. With a strong base in Piedmont, Italy, the grape is now grown in vineyards all around the world.
Take a Trip to Wine Country
Whether living in North America, Europe, South America or even Africa, this would be a great time to take a trip to a local vineyard or winemaker to visit and see what kind of Moscato wines they have in production. Whether choosing Italy, Napa Valley, Argentina or some other corner of the world, a winery tour would be a perfect way to celebrate National Moscato Day.
Make Some Moscato Cocktails
While some wines don’t really lend themselves to being mixed into drinks, Moscato’s light and fruity flavors means that it works super well when made into refreshing coolers. Try out some of these ideas for making delicious beverages that can be enjoyed on National Moscato Day and all summer long:
- Blackberry Moscato Slushies. This delicious frozen treat is made with chilled moscato, frozen blackberries (or another preferred fruit) and ice, all mixed together in a blender.
- Moscato Sangria. Channel that inner Spanish vibe by making a delicious pitcher of fruity Sangria using Moscato. Mix with blood oranges, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, San Pellegrino sparkling water and a fruity liquor, like Chambord.
- Moscato Mule Cocktail. This is a fun take on the Moscow Mule, using Moscato, vodka, ginger beer, lime juice and ice. Garnish with a lime and serve in a delightful copper mug.
- Winter Moscato Punch. Moscato drinks don’t just have to be for the summer! This punch is a great one to serve at a holiday party or family gathering. Mix Moscato with cranberry and pomegranate juices, ginger beer, and triple sec. Then garnish with fresh cranberries, orange slices and sprigs of fresh rosemary.
No matter what activities are included in the enjoyment of this day, don’t forget to share a love of Moscato with wine-loving friends and family to celebrate the delicious wine that is Moscato!
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