The Tasting Panel magazine

AUSTRALIA De Bortoli NV Emeri Moscato ($13) Low in alcohol, Emeri is light bodied with notes of peach and citrus. A little acidity goes nicely with its creamy bubbles. 8% alcohol. De Bortoli NV Emeri Pink Moscato ($13) Slightly lighter in color than salmon pink, Emeri Pink is light in alcohol, but filled with rose petal and peach notes, as well as strawberry flavors. 8% alcohol. CALIFORNIA Crane Lake 2010 Moscato, California ($6) A unique Moscato nose with hints of pine nuts, petrol, apple and honeysuckle. The sweetness gives notes of honey and green apple, but it is well-balanced and finishes with a hint of oak. BRONCO WINE CO. Douglass Hill 2011 Moscato, California ($6) Nicely balanced between sweet and dry. Nice notes of tropical fruits and toasted almond and honeysuckle in nose and palate. Sweet vanilla finish. 10% alcohol. BRONCO WINE CO. Coastal Ridge 2010 Moscato ($7) Explosion of honey and tropical fruits on the nose. It's sweet and juicy, perfectly balanced. 10% alcohol. BRONCO WINE CO. Barefoot NV Moscato, California ($7) Nose of apple, peach, pear and honeysuckle with the same flavors as well as hints of buttered pecan. Balanced, but needles toward sweet. 9% alcohol. E&J GALLO Robert Hall 2010 Orange Muscat, Margaret's Vineyard, Paso Robles ($15) With color closer to a Chardonnay, this Muscat hits the nose with floral, green apple, honey, pear, peach and vanilla, followed by sweet notes of strawberries, banana, mango and brown sugar. Very lovely finish with a hint of oak. 12.5% alcohol. DOMAINE NAPA WINE COMPANY St. Supéry 2010 Estate Moscato, Napa Valley ($20) Aromas of ripe peaches, apricots and melon. Light, sweet and balanced. 10.7% alcohol. SKALLI FAMILY WINES AMERICA CHILE Concha y Toro 2011 Frontera Moscato, Central Valley ($10) Bright with a nice yellow color. Great nose of peach, pear and tropical fruit with just a hint of spice. Expressive fruits followed by sweet notes of honey, candied fruits, caramel apple and buttered pecan. Fresh finish. 9.5% alcohol. BANFI VINTNERS january/february 2012 / the tasting panel / 77 Eberle 2010, Muscat Canelli, Paso Robles ($15) Gary Eberle is one of wine's best start-from-scratch stories. He was instrumental in establishing the Paso Robles AVA, officially created in 1983, and that same year started his own winery, which is now widely considered one of the appellation's top producers. Producing a unique version of Muscat, Eberle might become known as King of Muscat Canelli. With its gentle floral aromas of orange blossom, cantaloupe, citrus, nectarine and hints of buttered toffee and honeysuckle, Muscat Canelli—also known as Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains—brings lovely senses to the nose. On the palate, it's buttery yet crisp, sweet but balanced and creamy with hints of oak. This lovely wine is well suited for evening get-togethers and could pair with dishes as heavy as salmon or snacks as light as cheese on a cracker. In case you're won- dering why there's a wild boar on the label, Eberle is German for "small boar." 12.4% alcohol.

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