Moscato di Sardegna is a Sardinian wine DOC, introduced in September 1972, just after its more location-specific equivalent Moscato di Cagliari. This is a regional DOC which covers the entire island, from Sulcis and Cagliari in the south to Gallura in the north – a distance of approximately 175 miles (265km).
As is clear from its title, Moscato di Sardegna wine is made from the widespread Muscat grape variety – to be more specific, it is made from one particular member of the complex Muscat family. In this case it is Moscato Bianco, the same variety found all over southern France as Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains.
As with many Sardinian wines, there is a fortified version of Moscato di Sardegna, identified by the mention liquoroso on the label. These wines are sweeter and higher in alcohol, typically reaching an alcoholic strength between 17.5% (the legal minimum) and 20% alcohol by volume. These are intensely sweet, flavorful wines best matched to desserts, particularly those involving sweet, baked citrus and stone fruits. Even though the terms liquoroso and secco (dry) may seem mutually exclusive, there is also a secco version of these fortified wines. The finest Moscato di Cagliari wines are labeled as riserva, but to earn this right they must undergo the affinamento obbligatorio (obligatory ageing period) of nine months, and then be aged in wooden barrels for at least two years.
