LARKSPUR, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Steve Lindsay, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Larkspur-based O’Neill Vintners, has announced the release of the winery’s 2010 Moscato Allegro ($12/btl) – a lively, lushly-flavored white wine, noted for its incredible versatility as both a food wine and refreshing quaffer. Introduced in 1992, Moscato Allegro was the first, and continues to be one of the few, California Moscatos made from Muscat Canelli; the same noble grape used to produce Italy’s famed Moscato d’Asti.
In a hot-trending category, Moscato Allegro distinguishes itself from the pack. “It’s a different grape and different winemaking,” said Lindsay. “Unlike the majority of Moscatos, ours is made using premium Muscat Canelli grapes, which we ferment at extremely cold temperatures for up to six weeks to retain the natural acidity. The result is a wine that delivers more varietal flavor, effervescence and versatility than the typical Moscato.”
The Muscat Canelli grapes used for Moscato Allegro are grown at the Cairn Ranch Vineyards, located on the banks of the St. John’s River in southern San Joaquin Valley. At just 40-acres, Cairn Ranch Vineyards is one of the largest Muscat Canelli plantings in California. Also known as Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Muscat Canelli is one of the oldest and noblest of the Muscat varieties, dating back to early Roman times. Small berried and golden, Muscat Canelli is coveted for producing wines of great finesse, heady aromatics and ripeness; wines that have the unique characteristic of smelling and tasting just like the grapes. Moscato Allegro is made in the style of the Italian Moscato d’Asti; as a light-bodied, aromatic and slightly sweet wine, perfect on it’s own, with brunch, as an aperitif or as an after dinner refresher.
About Moscato Allegro
First introduced in 1992, Moscato Allegro is California’s original Muscat Canelli-based Moscato; made in the tradition of Italy’s famed Moscato d’Asti. The winery produces 40,000 cases of Moscato Allegro annually, priced at $12/bottle. The wine is distributed in restaurants, wine shops and chain retail markets nationally and is available directly to consumers via the winery website, www.moscatoallegro.com.