What are the best food pairings for Muscat wine?
Muscat is aromatic, so it works best with spicy dishes, salty cheeses, fruit and light desserts. Sweet Muscat (such as Moscato d'Asti) suits fruit tarts, pastries and blue cheese. Dry Muscat suits spicy Asian food, salads, shellfish, asparagus and fresh cheeses.
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In this article
What to eat with dry Muscat wine
Dry Muscat (for example from Alsace or Spain, or labeled Muscat sec) is floral and fruity but not sweet. Its perfume goes well with food that has aroma and a little heat.
- Spicy Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and Szechuan dishes
- Asparagus, green salads and fresh herbs
- Shellfish, sushi and light fish dishes
- Fresh goat cheese, feta and mild cheeses
- Ham, charcuterie and salty snacks
Sweet Muscat wine food pairing
Sweet Muscat, such as Moscato d’Asti, Asti or moscato from California, is usually lower in alcohol than most wines and often lightly fizzy or sparkling. The rule is simple: the wine should be at least as sweet as the dessert.
- Fruit tarts, peaches, apricots and melon
- Light cakes, shortbread, almond biscuits and pastries
- Blue cheese and aged, salty cheeses with honey
- Brunch dishes such as pancakes or fruit salad
Muscat pairing quick table
| Style | Good with | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Muscat | Spicy food, salads, shellfish | Heavy red meat sauces |
| Sweet, light (Moscato d’Asti) | Fruit, light pastry, salty cheese | Rich chocolate cake |
| Fortified Muscat (dessert wine) | Blue cheese, nuts, caramel desserts | Light salads |
How to drink Muscat
Serve it well chilled, in a white wine glass or flute for the fizzy styles. Open the bottle shortly before drinking; light sweet Muscat is best fresh and young, so check the label for a drink-soon date or vintage. Fortified Muscat is served in small pours. It also works as an aperitif on its own.
Common mistakes
Do not pair sweet Muscat with a dessert much sweeter than the wine; it will taste thin. And do not assume every Muscat is sweet: ask for dry (sec, trocken, seco) on the label.
People also ask
What food goes with Muscat wine?
Spicy dishes, salty cheeses, fruit, light pastries and fruit desserts, depending on whether the Muscat is dry or sweet.
What should I eat with dry Muscat wine?
Spicy Asian dishes, shellfish, salads, asparagus and fresh cheeses are good matches.
How do you drink Muscat?
Serve it well chilled, on its own as an aperitif or with fruit and light desserts.
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