Piedmont producers jump on Moscato trend

Piedmontese producers are looking to explore a new trend for rosé Moscato after a boom in US sales.

As a sidebar to the Nebbiolo Prima event in Barolo last week, one of the most trend-led developments was the focus on the Moscato grape, which has grown over 400% in the US market alone last year.

Though most of this growth is the under US$10 bottles produced in California, the potential is exciting many Piedmont-based producers.

“We see the next new trend as moscato rosé spumante,” said Ricardo March, US & Canada sales director for Beni di Batasiolo, a 150 year old winery based in Serralunga d’Alba.

“We quickly sold out of the 6,000 cases we sold last year so we are doubling our production in 2012 based on the market trend.”

According to March, the Moscato rosé spumante is popular in restaurants for dessert pairings and also a favourite due to its pink rose colour, floral aromatics, and off-dry fruity palate.

“Right now rosé Moscato is not regulated,” March told the drinks business.

“Winemakers today have total freedom as to the blending and vinification. We can add as much or as little of Braquetto and Freisa as we like though this may change as the wine becomes more popular.”

March is confident sales will continue to increase despite competition from four or five other Piedmont-based producers and the lower priced Moscato from US producers.

Beni di Batasiolo is owned by the Dogliani family which was one of the first to bottle wine in Barolo in the early years of the last century.

They produce 5 million bottles, out of which 50% is Moscato and other sparklers. Each year 15-20% of the total production goes to the US and Canadian market.

The Dogliani family also owns a new five star luxury resort in Serralunga.