A Moscato food pairing for brunch – why not? It’s low alcohol wine, bubbly and crisp, and fruity but not too sweet. >
Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year I thought of my favorite Moscato food pairing for my Wine Pairing Weekend group’s annual ode to February 14th. Hungry? I know I am.
Not Your Classic Moscato Pairing: Full English, please!
When I first wrote about Moscato d’Asti with a Full English Breakfast (something I like to call #MoscatoForBreakfast) in The Ultimate Guide to Piedmont Food and Wine Pairing the naysayers lined up. I get it.
Eggs and bacon are quite the contrast to the traditional sweet pairing of this crisp frizzante. Last spring I set out to prove Moscato d’Asti pairs well with a salty, greasey breakfast menu. No, I’m not suggesting you start your work day with a glass of vino next to your eggs and bacon. It’s all about brunch. And, that’s how I did it.
Moscato For Breakfast: The Players
I gathered a renegade group here in the Langhe and Roero to give it a go. I enlisted the help of British friends for the food prep, Lesley and Darryl Baldwin. Then, I solicited two of my favorite Moscato d’Asti producers to provide the vino. On hand were Demarie from the Roero and Ca’ del Baio from Barbaresco.
Next, I filled the tables with area wine producers, Piemontese, expats, a local wine writer, and we even had some super cool wine tour clients to join the fun. We started with an apertivo spread of local meats and kept tradition with torta di nocciole – hey, if it ain’t broke! Who doesn’t love a good hazelnut cake!? When all was said and done I’m pleased to report that the verdict was a rousing YES! to the Full English Breakfast Moscato food pairing.
Wine Pass: Moscato For Breakfast: The Wine Pairing You Weren’t Expecting
I have since worked with Demarie to present it to visiting wine bloggers. Read what The Wine Wankers had to say about #MoscatoForBreakfast. And, check out how Penny from Adventures of a Carry-on liked it! Demarie puts their own spin on the Full English, using in-season vegetables from their garden. Often with the addition of fried red peppers and, of course the torta di nocciole.
#MoscatoForBreakfast: It’s a Thing
Most people immediately think of sweet desserts for this wine. And, they work fantastically. But, a good Moscato d’Asti is not a super sweet drink – despite some of the wines found at lower prices in larger markets like the U.S. That in mind, it can be a great compliment to salty dishes.
Moscato d’Asti is a frizzante wine, not actually a sparkling at all. The bubbles come from what’s called an interrupted fermentation. This differs from a traditional spumante or Metodo Classico wine that gets its bubbles from secondary fermentation.
Read more from Wine Pass: 13 Things to Know about Piemonte’s Sparkling Wines
On the nose are floral aromas with hints of peaches and apricot. The palate shows medium acidity with big, juicy fruit flavors of pear, apple, peach, and apricot. The fizzy and crisp drink lightens up the salt-heavy menu. And, the acidity cuts through all that grease.
Moscato Food Pairing: Full English Breakfast Recipe
- Eggs: Fried, poached, or scrambled.
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Grilled Tomato
- Grilled Mushrooms
- Baked Beans
- Black Pudding
- Fried Bread or Toast with Butter
Click for Jamie Oliver’s complete Full English recipe.
Moscato d’Asti Buying Guide
Here is a short list of some Moscato d’Asti that are worth a try. All can be found in limited quantities in the U.S. And, each are worth a visit when in the area:
- Azienda Agricola, Demarie Moscato d’Asti DOCG
- Ca’ del Baio, 101 Moscato d’Asti DOCG
- Giovanni Doglia, Casa di Bianco Mosacto d’Asti DOCG
- Isolabella del Croce, Valdiserre Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Get your own bottle!
Win yourself a bottle in The Great Piedmont Wine Giveaway from Lazenne and try your own Moscato Food pairing – obviously, I recommend breakfast-style! Enter to win a Lazenne Wine Check luggage with 12 bottles of Piedmont wines (3 bottles from 4 different producers!) Check out PleaseBringMeMyWine.com for details and to register.
And, what is your favorite Moscato food pairing? Please, share below!
Read more Valentine’s Day Recipes!
Don’t miss the other Valentine’s Day pairings from the rest of the Wine Pairing Weekend crew! If you get a chance, follow our Twitter Chat at 11:00 a.m. ET, hashtag #WinePW.
- Tasting Pour:
- Love Letter Pastries and Brandborg Winery Pinot Noir
- Cherry Hazelnut Scones
- Food Wine Click: Perfect Wine for a Sparkling Valentine’s Day Celebration
- Enofylz Wine Blog:Valentine’s Surf and Turf with a Twist + Champagne Pairing
- Pull That Cork: Shepherd’s Pie and Burgundy: A Cozy Valentine’s Day Pairing
- The Armchair Sommelier: My Squashy Valentine
- Vino Travels: Sparkle Your Valentine’s Day with Brachetto from the Roero with Demarie
- Cooking Chat:
- Cauliflower Kale Soup paired with Pinot
- Sweet Strawberry Cream with Chocolate and Wine Pairing
- Rockin Red Blog: Valentine’s Day in the South of France with #WinePW
- Curious Cuisiniere: Gougéres (French Cheese Puffs) and Blanquette de Limoux
- Grape Experiences:
- Draceana Wines: Need a Valentine’s Wine? As You Wish.
- Wine Pass: A Lovely Red Risotto with Brachetto d’Acqui
- Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla :
- Cherry-Glazed Chicken with Hahn’s Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
- Barley Stuffed Acorn Squash & Zesty Crayfish with Landmark Vineyards’ Overlook Chardonnay
- Wild Boar Mushroom Pot Pies with Landmark Vineyards’ Overlook Pinot Noir
- Seared Venison Medallions with Justin’s Cabernet Sauvignon
- Rosé-Cured Salmon with Balletto Vineyards’ Brut Rosé
- Epoisses, Crackers, & Cremant de Limoux
- Christy from Confessions of a Culinary Diva:
- Valentine’s Day Steakhouse Dinner at Home
- 50 Oysters a Day & Other Tales of Seduction
- Pick a Picpoul de Pinet for Your Valentine
- Smokin’ Duck & Pinot
- Valentine’s Take-In Dinner
- Apple of My Eye Pork Chops & Pinot
- Lobster, Corn Fritters & Balletto
