Wine Peeps is an independent wine blog dedicated to helping you get the most bang for your buck in wine. We do this through blind tastings of wine from around the world and calculations of 
Nivole
By Kori ~ June 2nd, 2008.
“…great Moscato d’Asti wines are made by Michele Chiarlo, whose ‘Nivole’ bottling is one of the best….†–Joseph Bastianich & David Lynch, Vino Italiano
Now that June has arrived and summer is upon us, you may be on the lookout for a crisp, refreshing dessert wine. It’s time to leave the heavy desserts and heavy dessert wines behind and move forward to lighter fare. Michele Chiarlo’s Nivole Moscato d’Asti hits the spot for me. It’s sweet but not too sweet and makes the perfect dessert all by itself or as an accompaniment to a light summer dessert. Alternatively, it can be enjoyed as an aperitif before dinner if you so choose.
This is a wine that I love year-round. In fact, we frequently serve it with dessert at our monthly wine tasting dinners. But it especially shines this time of year.
Made from the moscato bianco grape, this wine hails from near the town of Asti in the Piedmont region of Italy.
2007 Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti (375 ml): A clear, bright, straw-colored semi-sparkling wine. Exhibits fresh, sweet aromas of apricots and Satsuma oranges. Lots of apricot comes through on the palate. Sweet but not sickeningly sweet. Very crisp and refreshing. The perfect dessert wine (with or without any dessert).
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Esquin (Seattle), $12.99, NapaCabs (California), $11.95
What is your favorite Moscato d’Asti wine? If you’ve never had one, what is your favorite summer dessert wine?
Filed under: Dessert Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Italian Wine, Moscato/Muscat, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25
