2020 Chaya Moscato D'Asti Piedmont 750 ml

Late one warm evening in Piedmont, we had just finished a meal of such epic brilliance that we couldn’t imagine how our hostess could outdo herself. 

Then came the 2020 Chaya Moscato d’Asti.

This stunning sparkler rocketed beyond every expectation we have for this variety,  it’s among the most versatile bottles you can have in your cellar. 

Our hostess set down a bowl of fresh-picked berries. Next to it, she placed a glass of shimmering, light-gold Moscato. Suddenly, she then took the glass and spilled some of the wine into the bowl of berries.

The fizzy liquid washed the sun-warmed fruit with a nectar-like sweetness underlined by riveting acidity. In the glass, the wine is ethereally light on the palate, so low in alcohol that it barely registered as booze.

Moscato d'Asti gets its sparkle from fermenting in pressurized tanks, which create a low level of carbonation that's known as frizzante. Think of it as a little brother to the Champagne-like bubbles of the region's famous spumante wines. The Moscato grapes are immediately pressed and the juices chilled, helping preserve the potent, fresh-fruit flavors and lively acidity. This kosher bottling was overseen at every stage by a rabbi working with noted oenologist Paolo Pronzato—a testament to Piedmont’s rich Jewish heritage.  

Serve this Chaya with antipasto when guests arrive, and let the lightness and lychee-tinged zest wake up their palates. Sip it while stirring at the stove to keep you cool. Pour it after dinner with dessert like the Italians do. It goes with just about everything—especially panna cotta!—and at just 5.5% alcohol, a couple glasses won’t put a dent in your morning.