What Kind of Wine Is Barefoot Red Moscato?
Barefoot Red Moscato is a light-to-medium-bodied sweet red wine from Modesto, California. Putting a colorful twist on a traditional Moscato, Barefoot Red Moscato is easy-going, refreshingly sweet, and flavorful from the first sip to the last. Moscato is a bubbly, sweet white, red, or rosé wine with a characteristic low alcohol content that pairs amazingly with desserts or spicy appetizers. Made from the Muscat wine grape, Moscato wines show mostly flavors and aromas of orange blossom, red fruits, and peach.
Moscato comes from the Muscat grape variety, which is ancient. However, prior to 2010, Muscat wine wasn’t particularly popular. But, thanks to fact that wineries started producing palatable, frizzante dessert wines, Moscato surged in popularity and saw its sales grow. And, it even managed to become the third most-sold wine in the United States, overtaking Sauvignon Blanc.
Barefoot Red Moscato Review
- Winery — Barefoot Cellars
- Country/Region — United States, California, Central Coast, Modesto County
- Type — Moscato
- Aroma — Lilac, Cherry, Strawberry, Apple, Blood Orange, Gooseberry, Lemongrass
- Grapes — Muscat
- Taste — Pineapple, Peach, Apricot, Raspberry, Citrus, Plum, Honey, Cheese, Almond, Vanilla Spice
- Alcohol Content — 9%
- Sugar — Sweet
- Pairing — Maple-glazed Jamón, Chicken Salad, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Honey-glazed Grilled Artichokes, Pepperoni Pizza
Barefoot Red Moscato is colorful and refreshingly sweet as it dances along with all the right fruits. Delicious red cherry and raspberry with sweet citrus aromas and flavors until the last sip, Barefoot Red Moscato is indeed a superb sweet wine. It is stimulating and more than just a simple dessert wine. If you are looking for a fabulous wine to unwind after a long day at work, Barefoot Red Moscato is your best bet.
Tasting Notes
Barefoot Red Moscato flavor profile is bright, like a bracing wine cooler. Gentle red fruit fragrances blend with citrus and green fruit notes to form the aromatic bouquet. In the mouth, a harmony of exotic and stone fruit tastes blend with honey and cheese hints, with nutty and spice elements completing the palate. Barefoot Red Moscato is definitely sweet, but, fortunately, the vivid acidity is very crispy and controls the sweetness, not letting it overpower the taste buds.
Appearance
Barefoot Red Moscato has a gorgeous and seductive assortment of hues. The wine’s color is translucent pink-red, opening into a transparent center without the slightest indication of fogginess. After a while, a yellow-golden reflection develops on the sides, adding to the gorgeous appearance. The tears of the wine are short and slightly thick. To sum it up, Barefoot Red Moscato is undeniably beautiful!
Aroma
The aroma of Barefoot Red Moscato is delicate. As the wine glass reaches the nose, the fragrance of sweet lilac surfaces, drawing in wine enthusiasts. Then, cherry and strawberry notes join splendidly redolent apple and blood orange aromas. In addition, hints of gooseberry, lemongrass, and cranberry offer a fresh yet tart sensation. What a magnificent nose!
Taste
On the palate, Barefoot Red Moscato is bright with pineapple, peach, and apricot flavors. Raspberry, citrus, and plum tastes are present in the mouth, too, lengthening the fruity experience. On top of that, the classic Muscat characteristics are prevalent from the first sip, such as touches of creamy cheese, honey, and hints of almond and vanilla spice. Therefore, the wine’s body is medium and structured. Now, the acidity is crisp and offsets the sweetness, while, at the same time, it is bubbly with persistent but satisfactory effervescence.
Finish
Barefoot Red Moscato concludes the tasting profile with a clean and straightforward finish. Nothing too spectacular here. Just a simple but savory finish, without bitterness. Some cherry and pineapple notes still linger on the tip of the tongue, reminiscent of the wine’s palate.
Rating
Barefoot Red Moscato is very fruity and flavorful. It is a low-alcohol and light-bodied wine and gushes elegant floral and red fruit aromas. Sweet honey and stone fruit flavors, add to its soft but refreshing nature. Also, the persistent effervescence is stimulating and super pleasant. Barefoot Red Moscato is not sophisticated, for sure, but if you are looking for a sweet red wine with a medium-ish body and a balanced fruitiness, this one could be for you.
Barefoot Red Moscato Food Pairing
When it comes to Barefoot Red Moscato food pairing, keep in mind that the wine’s flavors are sweet and syrupy, with hints of peach and cherry. As such, this Moscato pairs very well with sugary desserts, fruit tarts, or ice creams. Aim to pair the wine with caramel, vanilla spice, candy, and butterscotch flavors, too.
As for full-on courses, a classic Spanish maple-glazed jamón or a pepperoni pizza are excellent to complement the lightness of Barefoot Red Moscato. Chicken salad, honey-glazed grilled artichokes, or roasted red bell peppers accompany the wine wonderfully, as well. In addition, Barefoot Red Moscato is ideal for pairing with spicy Chinese food because the wine’s sweet taste controls the cardamon and ginger notes found in Chinese dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Barefoot Red Moscato?
Barefoot Red Moscato is a product of Barefoot Cellars. The winery was established back in 1965 when California winemaker Davis Bynum created the iconic Barefoot Bynum Burgundy in his garage. The inspiration behind the name of the winery is the free-spirited method of crushing grapes barefoot. Twenty years later, in 1986, entrepreneurs Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey renamed the winery Barefoot Cellars and designed the distinctive footprint label. Since then, Barefoot’s casual name has made a great impression on wine fans. Jennifer Wall is the winemaker at Barefoot Cellars. She has received over two thousand medals for her wines and several accolades, too.
How Is Barefoot Red Moscato Made?
The Muscat grapes are picked when they are ripe. Drying or raising the grapes to concentrate grape sugars after picking is not typically practiced for this wine style. These techniques add dried fruit characteristics that mask and overshadow the pure varietal nature. After harvest, the grapes are crushed, and the juice is separated from the skins. However, skin contact does take place, indeed, in the wine’s case, to add color.
In addition, the skin contact helps increase the aromatic intensity and adds richness to the palate. This is further enhanced if the skin contact continues during the fermentation, which it usually does. The fermentation is cool, and un-fermented grape juice is added to create the semi-sweet Moscato. When the fermentation is over, Barefoot Red Moscato is filtered from sediments and bottled with carbon dioxide to produce the bubbly personality. Finally, the dioxide ensures that not all of the sugar converts to alcohol, helping the wine maintain its sweet flavor.
Where Is Barefoot Red Moscato Made?
Barefoot Red Moscato is produced from Muscat vines cultivated in Modesto, California, a wine-making region with acclaimed wines and state-of-the-art wineries. Grapevines in California receive maximum sunlight, as combinations of warm, bright sun and cooling influences from the Atlantic Ocean define the region. As a result, California is known for producing fruity wines with concentrated and plush flavors.
The Central Valley is renowned for its fertile soil and irrigation. As such, expect high yields that result in the production of numerous wines every season. On top of that, Central Valley winemakers introduced a new wine-making style, challenging the European tradition. For example, in California, the emphasis falls on the fruitiness of the wines but not on the complexity. Also, the Mediterranean-type climate showers the grapevines with a constant burst of intense summer sunshine leading to grapes with increased flavors and sugar levels. On the other hand, the Atlantic Ocean cools the vines from the heat due to its cooling influences and fog.
How to Serve Barefoot Red Moscato?
Barefoot Red Moscato is best served in medium-sized white wine glasses, flute glasses, or tulip glasses. As the air comes into contact with the wine surface, it aerates the wine, enhancing the stone fruit flavors and cherry aromatics. In this way, the wine opens up, giving a more rounded and fulfilling taste. Also, remember that touching a flute glass by the bottom and not by the stem is wrong. The heat of your body transfers to the wine, altering its temperature and malfunctioning the flavors.
Barefoot Red Moscato tastes best very chilled at temperatures around 45°F (7°C). As soon as you bring the bottle home from the supermarket, put it in the fridge, and do not open it unless it is well-chilled. After pulling from the refrigerator, leave the bottle uninterrupted for 20 minutes or so. Then, uncork and enjoy the wine’s honeyed texture. Strive to keep Barefoot Red Moscato cool while serving it. Take an ice bucket and fill it with equal quantities of ice and water so that iced water surrounds the bottle. The water is then able to transfer the heat from the bottle to melt the ice. Air acts as an insulator, and the bottle chills. However, over-chilling clouds flavors and mutes aromatics in wines, whether red, white, or rosé.
How Much Does Barefoot Red Moscato Cost?
Barefoot Red Moscato is not expensive but budget-friendly. It is priced low, and therefore everyone can purchase it without significant cost considerations. Perfect for those days when you need something sweet and syrupy to lift your spirits. The Barefoot Red Moscato price is in the range of $3 to $7 per 750ml bottle. So, most wine enthusiasts can afford it and stock up their cabinets with plenty of Barefoot Red Moscato wine bottles to treat guests.
How Long Does Barefoot Red Moscato Last?
The best way to experience Barefoot Red Moscato is to drink it shortly after purchasing it. Barefoot Cellars recommend drinking the wine within 18 months to 2 years from the date of bottling while it is still young. After opening it, Barefoot Red Moscato, just like a typical white wine, lasts for three days. For maximum enjoyment, though, drink it within a day of uncorking. Consequently, avoid putting Barefoot Red Moscato away for long-term storage to avoid decreasing its fruit-forward and fresh character.
How Many Calories Does Barefoot Red Moscato Have?
Barefoot Red Moscato is a high-calorie-dense beverage. In 1 fluid ounce of the drink, there are 25 calories, equating to approximately 205 calories per serving. The calorie breakdown is 0 grams of fats, 0 grams of sodium, 18 grams of total carbohydrate, 0 grams of protein, and at least 20 grams of total sugars. The Barefoot Red Moscato calories, without a doubt, are high, so wine enthusiasts on a diet need to consider that before consuming this wine. That said, for casual drinking with friends or family, Barefoot Red Moscato will not put anyone’s efforts to fulfill a healthy lifestyle at risk.
Contrary to the calorie density, the wine has a low alcohol percentage, with the Barefoot Red Moscato alcohol content sitting at 9%. That should not be surprising because this low alcohol level is typical for Moscato wines, often lower than other sparkling wines. Also, remember that unless designated on the label, wines are not vegan. During wine-making, wines are clarified through fining, where the most commonly fining agents are animal-based. Vegans, consequently, must consider this before sipping Barefoot Red Moscato.
Conclusion
Barefoot Red Moscato is colorful and refreshingly sweet as it dances along with all the right fruits. Delicious red cherry and raspberry with sweet citrus aromas and flavors until the last sip, Barefoot Red Moscato is indeed a superb sweet wine. It is stimulating and more than just a simple dessert wine. If you are looking for a fabulous wine to unwind after a long day at work, Barefoot Red Moscato is your best bet.
