Moscato and Prosecco are two of the most popular sparkling wines in the UK — and they're often compared, confused or mistaken for one another. Both are Italian, both are fizzy and both are widely loved. But beyond those similarities, they're actually quite different wines that appeal to different tastes and suit different occasions.
If you've ever stood in a wine shop wondering which to choose, or you've enjoyed one and wondered whether you'd enjoy the other, this guide is for you. We're going to break down exactly what sets Moscato and Prosecco apart — so you can make the right choice every time.
What is Prosecco?
Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine made from the Glera grape, produced primarily in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of northeast Italy. It's the most popular sparkling wine in the UK by volume, loved for its light, fresh and crisp character.
Prosecco is made using the Charmat method, where secondary fermentation takes place in large tanks rather than individual bottles (as with Champagne). This produces a lighter, fruitier style of fizz that's approachable, versatile and very easy to drink.
Most Prosecco sold in the UK is labelled Brut, which means dry — containing very little residual sugar. Extra Dry Prosecco, confusingly, is actually slightly sweeter than Brut, but still nowhere near as sweet as Moscato.
What is Moscato?
Moscato is a sweet wine made from the Muscat grape — one of the world's oldest and most aromatic grape varieties. Unlike Prosecco, Moscato is defined by its sweetness. The winemaking process preserves the natural sugar of the grape, resulting in a wine that is noticeably sweet, intensely aromatic and lower in alcohol than most other wines.
The most celebrated style is Moscato d'Asti from the Piedmont region of northern Italy — a gently sparkling, delicately sweet wine with beautiful floral and stone fruit aromas. But Moscato is now made across the world, from South Africa to Australia to Spain, each with its own distinct character.
The Key Differences Between Moscato and Prosecco
Sweetness
This is the biggest difference. Prosecco is typically dry — it has a crisp, clean finish with very little sweetness. Moscato is firmly in the sweet category, with a luscious, honeyed character that makes it taste almost like liquid fruit.
If you find Prosecco too sharp, dry or acidic, you will almost certainly prefer Moscato. If you find sweet wines too rich or cloying, Prosecco is likely the better choice for you.
Simply put: Prosecco is dry. Moscato is sweet. That single difference defines everything else about them.
Alcohol Content
Moscato is significantly lower in alcohol than Prosecco. A typical Moscato d'Asti comes in at around 5–5.5% ABV, while most Prosecco sits between 11–12% ABV. This makes Moscato a much lighter option — ideal for daytime occasions, brunches or anyone who prefers something they can sip slowly without it going to their head.
Flavour Profile
Prosecco tends to offer flavours of green apple, white peach, pear and light citrus — fresh, clean and relatively neutral. It's designed to be refreshing rather than complex.
Moscato, by contrast, is intensely aromatic and flavourful. Expect wildflowers, honey, ripe apricot, peach, melon and orange blossom. Where Prosecco is subtle, Moscato is expressive — it announces itself from the moment you open the bottle.
Bubbles
Both wines are sparkling, but the style of fizz is different. Prosecco tends to have a more vigorous, persistent mousse — similar to Champagne in terms of bubble intensity. Moscato d'Asti is frizzante, meaning lightly sparkling — the bubbles are gentle and delicate, giving it a softer, more elegant feel in the mouth.
Occasions
Prosecco has become the default sparkling wine for almost every occasion in the UK — aperitivo, celebrations, brunches and parties. It's versatile and widely accepted.
Moscato tends to shine in more specific situations: as a dessert wine, with food pairings like spicy dishes or fruit-based desserts, at brunch, or as a gift for someone who loves something sweeter and more distinctive.
Which is Better — Moscato or Prosecco?
Neither is objectively better — it comes down entirely to personal taste and occasion. But here's a simple guide to help you decide:
• Choose Prosecco if you prefer dry, crisp sparkling wine with a clean finish
• Choose Moscato if you prefer something sweet, aromatic and full of fruit flavour
• Choose Prosecco for a classic aperitivo or cocktail base
• Choose Moscato for dessert pairing, brunch or as a gift for a sweet wine lover
• Choose Prosecco if you want something widely familiar and crowd-pleasing
• Choose Moscato if you want something more distinctive and memorable
Can You Enjoy Both?
Absolutely — and many people do. Prosecco and Moscato serve different purposes and different moments. You might reach for Prosecco at a party aperitivo and then pour a glass of Moscato with dessert. Or keep Prosecco for midweek and save Moscato for something more special.
The good news is that if you already love Prosecco, Moscato is a natural next step — it shares the Italian sparkling wine DNA but takes the experience in a sweeter, more aromatic direction. Most Prosecco lovers who try a quality Moscato d'Asti for the first time are genuinely surprised by how much they enjoy it.
If you're a Prosecco drinker taking your first steps into Moscato, our customers tell us that Tussock Jumper Moscato and Jam Jar Sweet Moscato are the perfect starting points. As the lightest and least sweet wines in our range, they bridge the gap beautifully between the dryness of Prosecco and the fuller sweetness of classic Moscato d'Asti — giving you all the aromatic character of Moscato without the jump feeling too dramatic.
Try Moscato for Yourself
At Moscato Life, we stock the UK's finest selection of Moscato wines — from classic Italian Moscato d'Asti to vibrant South African and Australian styles. If you're curious about making the switch from Prosecco, or simply want to add a beautiful sweet wine to your repertoire, we've got everything you need.
Not sure where to start? Our Moscato Sweetness Scale ranks every wine in our range from sweetest to lightest, with tasting notes to help you choose with confidence.
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