The 1999 Moscato d'Asti is a splendid example of a refreshing, low alcohol (4-5%) wine. Slightly sweet and effervescent, as well as gorgeously perfumed with notes of peach, apricot, pear, and flowers, this totally disarming Moscato makes an ideal aperitif wine and is the perfect wine to serve with breakfast (just kidding of course). Captivating and fun to drink, it should be consumed within 6-9 months of its release. A Leonardo Locascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

The slightly sweet sparkling 1998 Moscoto d'Asti offers gobs of peach, pear, and spring flower garden scents. There is refreshing acidity in this low alcohol (5.5%) wine, making it a terrific end of the meal, light-bodied offering to drink with cookies or cake. It should be consumed before the end of 1999! A Leonardo Locascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

I have often extolled the virtues of these delicious, low alcohol (about 4-5%), slightly effervescent and sweet sparkling wines from Piedmont. They are almost always available for under $15 a bottle, and Coppo's 1997 is a particularly admirable example. Offering up celestial quantities of peach, honey, apricot, and spring flower garden aromas, this light-bodied Moscato is slightly sweet, fresh, and fruity. However, these wines do not age well, and this 1997 must be drunk before the end of 1998.A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

I am a huge fan of these low alcohol (about 5.5%), 100% Moscato wines bottled with some trapped CO2 giving them a spritzy, effervescent quality. Coppo's 1996 offering is extremely light, with aromas of peaches, apricots, pears, and flowers. Like most Moscato d'Astis, it is slightly sweet, with a remarkably pure, elegant personality. It is the quintessential "breakfast" wine. However, Moscato d'Asti needs to be drunk within 6-9 months of its release.A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620