2020 Castel Firmian ‘Daben’ Moscato Rosa

A rarity to these shores, Moscato Rosa Trentino is a dessert wine worth checking out. It looks like a red wine, smells like the confection heart of a Turkish bazaar filled with Turkish Delight, and while there is a sweetness there is also an alluring citrus-induced freshness highlighting the role of red Moscato and its versatility. Confection leads the aroma with red liquorice, musk stick, blackcurrant pastille, black fruits and high rose petal florals. Grapey sweet with hints of mandarin, tangerine citrus, honeycomb, Turkish Delight, musk stick and juicy red berries, the aromatics truly sing together with the orange rind/mandarin clean bitter tartness, all combined with a lovely fresh acidity. 375ml

From the Trentino region, this is a rarely seen but most intriguing style, Moscato Rosé. Under Diam, it is an ideal wine for a small glass at the end of a good meal. Cherry red in colour, dimming on the edge, this is attractively perfumed. There are notes of cherries and spices, a hint of beeswax, rose petals, plums, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries with cream. The wine is balanced with focus and decent length, leading to a clean and fresh finish. A lovely touch of sweetness throughout. This may not be the sort of thing one automatically gravitates to, but giving it a shot might provide some real surprise. Enjoy it over the next five to ten years.