Moscato Giallo

What Is Moscato Giallo?

Moscato Giallo is an aromatic white grape of northern Italy, grown mainly in Alto Adige, Trentino and the Veneto. It makes both dry and sweet wines with orange blossom, apricot, citrus peel and spice, and is known in German as Goldmuskateller.

Moscato Giallo means "yellow Muscat", for the golden colour of its ripe berries. It is one of many varieties in the Muscat family and is related to Moscato Bianco, the grape of Moscato d'Asti, but it is a different variety. It has been grown in the Alpine valleys of the northeast for a long time. In Alto Adige it was traditionally made into sweet wines, while today many producers also make a dry version. In the Colli Euganei, south of Padua, it is the grape of Fior d'Arancio, which means "orange blossom".

Where Moscato Giallo Grows

• Alto Adige: around Bolzano, Caldaro (Kaltern), Appiano and Termeno, on warm, sunny slopes.
• Trentino: smaller plantings, for dry and sweet wines.
• Colli Euganei (Veneto): the volcanic hills south of Padua, home of Fior d'Arancio.
• Friuli Venezia Giulia: a few producers.

Moscato Giallo and Italian Denominations

• Alto Adige/Südtirol DOC: includes dry Goldmuskateller and sweet passito wines.
• Trentino DOC: includes varietal Moscato Giallo.
• Fior d'Arancio Colli Euganei DOCG: sweet sparkling, still and passito wines from Moscato Giallo.
• Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT and Venezia Giulia IGT: for varietal wines.

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

• Fruit: apricot, peach, orange, lemon and tropical fruit.
• Other notes: orange blossom, rose, sage, nutmeg and cinnamon.
• Structure: light to medium body, fresh acidity; sweet versions are rich but balanced.

Dry Moscato Giallo is fragrant but firm, and is best young. Passito wines, made from dried grapes, are honeyed and spicy and can age for many years.

Food Pairing

• Aperitivo: dry versions with light snacks.
• Asian dishes: mildly spicy food and dishes with ginger.
• Vegetables: asparagus and herb salads.
• Desserts: fruit tarts, strudel and almond pastries, with sweet versions.
• Cheese: blue cheeses with passito.

How to Choose and Where to Start

Start with a dry Alto Adige Goldmuskateller, then try a sweet Fior d'Arancio or an Alto Adige passito. Producers worth knowing include Kellerei Kaltern, St. Michael-Eppan, Tramin, Nals Margreid, Colterenzio, Alois Lageder, Castelfeder and Manincor in Alto Adige, and Maeli and La Montecchia in the Colli Euganei.

Moscato Giallo is part of the same family as Moscato Bianco, Moscato Rosa and Zibibbo, and shares Alto Adige with Gewürztraminer. Read our best Trentino-Alto Adige wines, the best Italian dessert wines, or browse the grape varieties index.