The iconic white wine from Northern Italy is the perfect match for these dishes
Italian wine is one of our favorite topics—just as each region has its own local dishes and ingredients, the different areas of Italy also have their own wine traditions. Visiting local vineyards when you’re traveling through Italy is a great way to find your new favorite wine, but what do you do when you get home and it’s time to make dinner?
Pairing wines doesn’t have to be difficult, especially when you’re starting with a wine as delicious as Moscato d’Asti. While you may be familiar with the name, there’s a lot more to Moscato d’Asti to discover. From the northern Piemonte region of Italy (specifically in and around the town of Asti, in the UNESCO region of Langhe-Roero-Monferrato), Moscato d’Asti is a lightly bubbly white wine made purely with local moscato bianco grapes. It’s different from Asti Spumante, which is strongly sparkling and usually sold with a Champagne-style cork and cage; Moscato d’Asti is technically known as frizzante, indicating a gentler bubble.
Moscato d’Asti is intensely aromatic and can have notes of peaches, apricots, orange blossom, and honey on first sniff. While it tends to have more residual sugars than, say, a super-dry vermentino, this gives body to the wine to help it match up to stronger flavors. And while we might think to save sparkling wines like Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumante for celebrations, Italians know they’re brilliant paired with everyday foods! The bubbles help lighten the palate, bringing every bite and sip into balance.
Because of its lower alcohol volume (around 5%, vs. 9-14% in many other wines), we love Moscato d’Asti as an approachable pairing to add delight to any meal, whether you’re entertaining or having a quiet night in. Check out Giada’s favorite pairings below, then experiment for yourself! This is a wine that loves spice and all things big and bold.
Calabrian Chili Pasta
Giada’s Calabrian Chili Pasta is one of her go-to weeknight dinners; it’s so easy to whip up with ingredients she always keeps in the pantry. The fruity flavor of the Calabrian chilis is matched by Moscato d'Asti’s grape, lychee, and peach notes, and the wine’s bright sparkle helps ease the spice level.
Baked Robiola
Creamy, soft robiola cheese is like an Italian version of brie, with a luscious, milky interior and a soft rind. This appetizer tops the cheese with fragrant honey, tart jam, and crunchy Piemonte hazelnuts for a delicious riot of flavors in each bite. With a glass of honeyed, fruit-forward Moscato d'Asti, it’s a brilliant cocktail party choice guaranteed to get all your guests talking.
Anchovy Pasta With Walnuts
Briny, umami-packed anchovies often hide in the background of recipes, but chefs and food lovers in the know (like Giada!) believe their vibrant flavor deserves to take center stage. Here, they appear both chopped and in the form of colatura di alici, and Moscato d’Asti provides the perfect balance. Anchovy skeptics and fans alike will love this wine-and-pasta pairing.
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