The origin of this grape is uncertain but it is almost certainly arrived in Trentino from Veneto region in the days of the Venetian Republic when it was called "moscata" or "moscatella" (Muscat or muscatel). It is mainly grown in the Vallagarina area, although there are vineyards in the hills around Trento and San Michele all'Adige. The vineyard which produces the Cantine Monfort's grapes lies in the hills around Meano near Trento. In Trentino a special clone is cultivated which is usually made into a dry white after a careful selection of the grapes. Cantine Monfort proposes this wine where the grapes have been left to ripen for a longer period and then made into a sweet wine.

Morphological characteristics of the vine

Rounded leaf of average size, three-lobed, occasionally unbroken.Cluster generally average to large, 20-25cm, long, pyramidal,with one or two wings, scanty, visible peduncle, long, herbaceous, speckled and green coloured. Grape berries average, spherical; skin pruinose, thick, substantial, bright yellow coloured, opalescent with well distributed colour; pulp slightlyfleshy and juicy, flavour pleasantly muscat.

Wine-making

Great care is taken in deciding the best possible harvesting period, which is drawn out as long as possible to ensure the grapes are over-ripe (and consequently a genuine late harvest). Selected low-yielding vines are planted at high altitudes (500-600 metres) in order to produce high sugar content and high acidity in the grapes. Subsequent cold fermentation on the skins, supervised fermentation at low temperatures (16-18° C) and blockage of fermentation caused by instantaneous lowering of temperatures to 0° C, result in the production of a sugary residue accompanied by a high aromatic and acidic content that contribute to the particular nature of this wine.

Wine

Colour: pale yellow, sometimes golden.
Bouquet: aromatic, distinctive, rose and muscat notes.
Palate: intriguing, with a delicate softness, a pleasantly zesty freshness.

Gastronomic suggestions

Moscato is the classic Italian dessert wine. It can be drunk with fruit puffs and desserts but is also ideal with white meat patés.

Serving temperature

10-12° C