The Difference Between Prosecco & Moscato Wines
Prosecco and Moscato are both sparkling white wines. They look similar and are sometimes considered the same as their origins are also the same, which is Italy. They have some surface-level similarities and are hence are mixed up often. But if you look closely (I mean taste mindfully), you will know the difference between them. They are different in sweetness and flavors.
We have covered everything for you right here.
Prosecco vs. Moscato: Features of the Wines
Moscato is a sweet wine, and so is Prosecco. But the Prosecco falls on the dry style wine, and Moscato is simply sweet. Because of this difference, their food pairing also changes. They have only two main similarities that we have already mentioned above. Apart from that they are totally different from the type of grapes they are made from to their winemaking method.
Features of the two wines
1. Origins and Grapes
- Prosecco wine comes from a small region named Conegliano in Veneto, northeastern part of Italy. From that region, it gradually became popular in Italy first.
- Then as time passed by, it became popular in many parts of the world eventually.
- The grape variety that is used in the making of this wine is Glera, which has thin skin that has been grown in Vento for the past hundreds of years.
- In Italy, Prosecco has Glera as its main ingredient with a percentage of 85% by volume, and other fruits and flavors are only 15%. If the Glera grapes content is not 85%, then it is ideally not considered as Prosecco wine, but the international winemakers do not obey this and use this term for their own aimed flavors.
- You can buy this wine for almost all occasions from parties to dinners with your family and friends.
- Moscato wine also has its origin in Italy and is now grown in many parts of the world because of its ability to succeed in most climates.
- It is an old wine and its origin can be traced back to ancient Egyptians and Greeks.
- The grape variety that is used in the making of this wine is Muscat grapes which is considered as the parent grape of over 200 different types of the grape variety belonging to the Vitis Vinifera species.
- The oldest grape of this species is Moscato Bianco. Muscat Blanc is the most commonly used variety of this species to make this wine.
2. Tastes and Flavors
- Prosecco is a light-bodied that primarily tastes like pear, melon, green apples, and fresh cream.
- It is a highly aromatic and vibrant crisp wine with a high amount of acidity.
- The method by which it is made is called the “tank method.” This method of making the Prosecco wine is less expensive when compared with the other champagnes and sparkling wines, which also means a pocket-friendly wine for the customers.
- It offers you a complex profile but with refreshing simplicity.
- Moscato wine is sweeter in taste, but it totally depends on the winemaker’s and what type of variant he is trying to aim.
- It has very fruity notes that can be felt in its aroma too. It has notes of fruits like peach juice, orange blossom, and tropical fruits.
- This wine is also slightly fizzy and has flavors of nectarine that feels heaven to your palate. It is a dessert wine too and can be enjoyed on any occasion and time.
- It cannot be aged for a long time and is best enjoyed young.
Prosecco vs. Moscato – Comparison Table
| Category | Prosecco | Moscato |
| Appearance | It is a sparkling wine which has bubbles but can also come “flat.” | It is a white wine and its most popular version has a color that is slightly sparkling and hence called as “frizzante”. |
| Aroma | The wine is made from “tank method” and its secondary fermentation in those steel tanks preserves its bright, fruity, and fresh aromas. | It has intense aromas. It has a very fruity smell of orange blossoms, peach, and tropical fruits. |
| Sweetness | It is mostly enjoyed in the dry and bone dry style but due to the fruity flavors of its grapes it is more sweet on the palate than it is. | This wine falls on the sweet side and is perfect if you want a sweet wine specifically. |
| Alcohol | It comes with comparatively high ABV of around 12%. | It is a sweet and has a low ABV of 5-7%. |
| Ageing Potential | Well it has more sugar content so it cannot be aged for long and you can expect it to last for up to two years if kept unopened. | This wine also does not age well, especially not the fizzy versions like Moscato d’Asti. |
| Food Pairings | It goes well with appetizers like Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates, Asian cuisines, and Thai cuisines too | It goes well with spicy foods like Mexican food, Indian food, and Thai cuisine. |
Summing Up
Both the wines are amazing in taste and you should not miss any of them!! Moscato is a white wine is often thought of as a dessert wine with a slightly fizzy texture. There are some variations between the different types of Moscato available, but generally, it has a pretty low alcoholic content, nearly 5-7% by volume. The low alcohol content makes it a great dessert drink for casual drinking on brunch-time that won’t derail your entire day.
Now, if we talk about Prosecco wines, they are mostly enjoyed in the dry style or extra dry style but, because of the fruity flavor of the grapes, it often tastes sweeter than it is. It has a unique profile because of the different making methods used in its making. They are produced mostly on the drier side, but there are more sweet variants available too in the markets.
Hope the differences between these two poplar wine varieties are clear and you won’t confuse them any longer.
Also, check this post to know more about Prosecco wines.
