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Bonny Doon Wine

The bottle I won’t share

By Madelyn Miller

We all have our deep dark secrets. I love sweet wines. I know it is more sophisticated to like dry wines but I can’t resist anything that tastes like a real dessert. So my favorites are ice wines and dessert wines.

Recently at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale, Arizona  the server urged me to try a sweet wine with my Foie Gras. I said, okay, but just a sip. She poured a glass of Bonny Doon Ca' Del Solo moscato del solo and not only did I drink it all, but I ordered more. She saw how much I liked it, and sent a bottle to my room

Even though I was traveling to four hotels and switching rooms, I gingerly wrapped it up and made sure to take it home. I was dating someone new and thought this would be a nice treat. Should I save it for his birthday or Valentine’s Day? The relationship has not progressed as I hoped, so I am still saving the wine. I selfishly put it in a new category, “Do not share.” I think it is the first wine I have ever had that I could drink a whole bottle.

But being a journalist, I knew I had to research this. There must be similar wines that I would enjoy as much…or at least almost as much. So I queried everyone in my wine directory, asking for suggestions of similar wines.

I thought I would share their suggestions with you. But I am not sharing my Bonny Doon Ca' Del Solo moscato del solo wine.  http://www.bonnydoonvineyard.com

Can winemakers match it?

Wine Director Francis Saunders: Florida,  recommends 8 Michele Chiarolo Nivole,
which he calls a more mass market alternative. It's a less expensive wine than the Bonny Doon, but the match is fairly close. In Texas, we have a 99 Rose Valley Vineyards & Winery Malvasia Bianca. He called this a model for the Bonny Doon. He says that this wine's freshness is very significant.   We have the 98 in Texas which is the model for the Bonny Doon, and that the 99 Rose Valley is comparable to the Bonny Doon and available in Florida.

We don't sell wine; but the closest wines would be anything labeled Moscato d'Asti (get 2000 not earlier).
Patrick W Fegan, Director
CHICAGO WINE SCHOOL

This is an easy one!, according to Regina Lutz, La Famiglia di Robert Mondavi. The answer is La Famiglia di Robert Mondavi Moscato Bianco!  The suggested retail price is: $14.99.

Veronica Williams of Talbert suggests Santa Julia Tardio ($12.99) (a Late-Harvest Torrontes) is the most similar on the sweeter side--that's pretty much the only sweet wine we have.

Wine writer Daryl Besson is probably more objective. Regarding wine, there is a great alternative that I want to say is made by Brown in California in a tall, narrow bottle that looks very Italian called "Allegra" or something like that, approx $11.

Jan Steubing says The Ravensvale Group imports a lovely sweet and sparkling dessert Muscato called Stella Bella Pink Muscato

We have none.  Ballatore is similar in taste but it is a sparkler.
Suzie (Rothwell) Shykes
Communications Assistant
E. & J. Gallo Winery

Travellady.com wine writers Parks and Suzanne  Hall haven't tried that one but assume it's on the sweet side. Would suggest you try Sutter home muscat --not sure the exact name. Also look for muscato d'Asti wines from Italy.

We produce, in limited quantities, a muscat cannelli; other wines in the same general type would be Riesling, Gewurztraminer. All are produced in the Vintner's Reserve line.
James Caudill
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates


Andrew Paparella, the chef and wine seward of Fraunces Tavern said that the Bonny Doon is the American version of the French white moscata Domaine deCoyueux, which has been around longer. It is very sweet, and fairly popular.

Kevin Karl says Inniskillin Riesling Icewine could be considered as being similar to the Moscato del Sol in that it is also a dessert wine. I assume (not having tasted) that the Moscato is fruity (similar to Essensia made from Muscat grapes as well) and would pair best with fruit tarts and crème brulee-type desserts. The moscato probably pairs well with chocolate wherein Inniskillin Riesling would not.

George Rose says, “I can offer nothing that compares to either one of those wines.  In fact, I'm not sure there is anything in the entire world to compare with those two wines.

Now what should I do? Try them all I guess

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