retail cost: $15 – $25

Domaine Achard Vincent, Clairette de Die, ‘Tradition’ NV

91
Domaine Achard Vincent
Varietal: Sparkling
Country of Origin: France
Retail Price: $24

Tasting Notes: This is a fantastic sparkling summertime sipper that comes from a little-known corner of the Rhone and is raised bio-dynamically. Wonderfully fresh and vibrant, it lures you in with loads of ripe peache, brused pear and honeysuckle. Here, the sweetness is balanced by fine acidity, a chalky minerality and just the right amount of bubbles.
Domaine Achard Vincent, Clairette de Die, ‘Tradition’ NV

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Ceretto Moscato 2014

91
Ceretto
Varietal: Moscato
Vintage: 2014
Retail Price: $24

Tasting Notes: Long known for how great their Moscato is, Ceretto continues to release wines of the highest caliber. This year’s Moscato release is no different. A little bit more dialed back than some on the sweetness, Ceretto Moscato delivers on all fronts, hooking all wine drinkers the second they take a taste.
Ceretto Moscato 2014

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Yalumba Museum Reserve Muscat NV

92
Yalumba Museum Reserve
Varietal: Muscat
Country of Origin: Australia
Retail Price: $24

Tasting Notes: This wine is a rare treat for the price and complexity. It has an amazing raisin/prune and burnt toffee combination that makes it an amazing food-pairing wine. There is this very subtle port-like quality with this wine. Combined with all the amazing flavors, this gives the wine amazing depth.
Yalumba Museum Reserve Muscat NV

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Mauro Sebaste Moscato d’Asti 2014

92
Mauro Sebaste
Varietal: Sparkling
Vintage: 2014
Appellation: Asti, Piedmont
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: Elegant yet approachable, this wine has well-defined acidity and structure to create an uplifting mouth feel. Great expressive fruit, sweetness, low alcohol, effervescence and an appealing freshness set this Barolo producer apart from other Moscato d’Asti wines.
Mauro Sebaste Moscato d’Asti 2014

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Foss Marai Dolce Reale

92
Foss Marai
Varietal: Moscato
Appellation: Valdobbiadene
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: Golden yellow in color, a concentrated, light-bodied Moscato that has expressive aromas and flavors of dried peach, lychee and complex violet notes. The light sweetness, and darker dried fruit notes, are balanced and complementary.
Foss Marai Dolce Reale

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Domaine de Durban, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2014

92
Domaine de Durban
Varietal: Muscat
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: France
Retail Price: $15 per 375-ml.

Tasting Notes: A lovely “vin doux naturel” that exudes much complexity. Flaunting apricot, caramelized orange peel, almond skin and beeswax, this is a treat for the senses. Its oily texture and sweetness is gracefully carried on an undercurrent of fresh acidity. This will drink well for many years to come.
Domaine de Durban, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise 2014

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Saracco Moscati D’Asti 2014

92
Saracco
Varietal: Sparkling
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Italy
Retail Price: $15

Tasting Notes: Delightful with simple fresh fruit desserts and even blue cheese. Bright and inviting — not heavy on the palate. Delicate notes of apricot and honeysuckle.
Saracco Moscati D’Asti 2014

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Vino Noceto Frivolo Moscato Bianco 2015

93
Vino Noceto Frivolo
Varietal: Moscato
Vintage: 2015
Appellation: California
Retail Price: $18

Tasting Notes: Straw yellow, with a hint of gold. A lively fruit salad on the nose and palate, the wine is a bright expression of Muscat, with all of the tastes and texture you would expect.
Vino Noceto Frivolo Moscato Bianco 2015

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Vino Dei Fratelli Moscato d’Asti 2014

94
Vino Dei Fratelli
Varietal: Sparkling
Vintage: 2014
Appellation: Piedmont
Retail Price: $18

Tasting Notes: Straw yellow in color, the nose is dominated by honeysuckle, with stone and tropical fruit notes. Bright, clean fruit on the palate, with a focused and balanced finish.
Vino Dei Fratelli Moscato d’Asti 2014

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Domaine de Durban Muscat

95
Domaine de Durban
Varietal: Muscat
Retail Price: $15 per 375-ml.

Tasting Notes: This is one of, if not the best, example for the money coming out of Beaumes de Venise. The fruit is perfectly concentrated, following booming aromatics, in this wonderful dessert wine. The vines are over 35 years old and it definitely shows in the quality.
Domaine de Durban Muscat

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Coppo Moncalvina Moscato d’Asti 2014

95
Coppo Moncalvina
Varietal: Sparkling
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Piedmont
Retail Price: $18

Tasting Notes: Straw yellow, with just a touch of green. The nose is all about stone and tree fruits, with floral undertones. The taste is clean, fruity and nicely textured.
Coppo Moncalvina Moscato d’Asti 2014

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Marchesi di Barolo Zagara Moscato d’Asti 2014

95
Marchesi di Barolo Zagara
Varietal: Moscato
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: Italy
Appellation: Moscato d'Asti
Retail Price: $19

Tasting Notes: Straw yellow, with hints of gold. The nose is comprised of orange blossoms, for which the wine is named. The palate echoes the nose, with the addition of stone fruit. Bright and clean, from start to the lingering finish.
Marchesi di Barolo Zagara Moscato d’Asti 2014

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