Middle Sister Sweet and Sassy Moscato

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Moscato is one of the world’s most ancient grapes, but it has been rediscovered by many of today’s younger wine consumers.
Also called muscat, sales of the wine increased more than 200 percent between 2009 and 2011 and increased
78 percent last year, according to Nielsen data.
This label is part of the Middle Sister lines from California, which offers 10 different wines all devoted to the female in the center of the birth order.
Made with 84 percent moscato and a blend of other white grapes, this wine shows all the trademark signs of the aromatic grape. It’s a sweet wine that could pair with lighter fare or simply enjoyed by itself.
Sherry: “Honey, pear and touch of citrus” 3 stars
Chris: “Apricot, honey, pear and orange.” 3 stars
Available locally for about $9.
Coming next week: HandCraft Petite Sirah

Stella Rosa Moscato D'Asti

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

The best sweet wines are not the result of adding sugar to the bottle. To achieve the right balance of sweetness that is not cloying, a winemaker must balance high acidity with the residual sugar or the result is a wine that tastes like flavored pancake syrup.

Balance is certainly the case with this Italian white from the Asti region. It's a frizzante wine that results from natural carbonation but with less fizz than champagne.

The wine displays a floral bouquet and captures the traditional muscat flavors of peach and apricot, as well as other fruits. It's low in alcohol (5.5 percent), making it a perfect match for fresh fruit, a brunch or just by itself.

Sherry: "Sweet pear, apple and white grape flavor with light carbonation." 3-1/2 stars

Chris: "Honey and pear flavors with notes of cotton candy." 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $10.

Coming next week: Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc

Sometimes too much emphasis is placed on the precise

pairing of food and wines, but there's no mistaking what this sweet wine is meant for: dessert.

This non-vintage California selection was a favorite of Georges de Latour, Beaulieu Vineyard founder. It's made with the ancient grape muscat, known for its aromatics and complexity.

Grape brandy is added to the wine early in the fermentation to produce the sweetness and an 18 percent alcohol level. Some of the wine is aged in oak, which adds richness and depth. It's a sweet, thick wine influenced by the brandy with flavors of honey and stone fruit.

This is definitely a sipping wine.

Sherry: "Honey, apricot and brandy with an apple and pear finish." 3-1/2 stars

Chris: "Honey and pear with notes of brandy." 3 stars

Available locally for about $8.

Coming next week: Cupcake Chardonnay