Gallo Family Vineyards Celebrates Third Annual National Moscato Day

MODESTO, Calif., May 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today is National Moscato Day, an annual holiday established by Gallo Family Vineyards in celebration of the deliciously sweet wine varietal that has everyone talking. The winery that started it all is celebrating big this year by inviting Americans to "mix it up" with Moscato.

More and more people are enjoying wine and Moscato is at the center of the excitement.  The growing interest for the varietal that is changing ideas about wine inspired the 80-year-old winery to establish the holiday. This year, Gallo Family Vineyards invites America to mix it up with creative cocktail recipes, a national Twitter party complete with giveaways and even an online quiz to recommend the perfect Moscato.

"Moscato has brought new interest to the wine category," said Stephanie Gallo, Vice President of Marketing at E. & J. Gallo Winery and third generation Gallo family member. "Driving the excitement is a younger generation of consumers who aren't beholden to traditional wine norms. They are embracing Moscato's sweet flavor, taking it out of the dessert course and bringing it into more everyday celebrations."

At the center of this year's celebration, Gallo Family Vineyards (@GalloFamily) will be hosting the third annual #MoscatoDay Twitter Party from 7PM to 8PM EST. Throughout the hour, wine lovers and newbies alike will have the opportunity to share how they plan to #MixItUp with Moscato this year.

Things get even sweeter, as fans can "Moscatofy" themselves on the Gallo Family website (www.GalloFamily.com/MoscatofyYourself) with a fun, interactive quiz to determine which of the winery's three Moscato styles best match their personalities.  

To get the party started, Gallo family member Stephanie Gallo offers a few of her own tips for ways to mix it up with one of their three types of Moscato:

1. Mix It Up In A Meal: The deliciously sweet flavors of Moscato make it more than just a dessert wine. It pairs well with all types of food, including cheeses like Manchego or sharp cheddar and spicy dishes with chilies and peppers. 
2. Mix It Up In A Glass: Between the tasty peach notes of the original white Moscato, the aromatic orange blossom taste of the Pink Moscato and the yummy red berry flavor of the Red Moscato, our portfolio has a lot to offer! 
3. Mix It Up In A Cocktail: Whether it's a refreshing spin on a classic, like the Moscato-rita noted in the recipe below, or an original recipe made on the fly, the sweet and fruit-forward flavors of Moscato make it a great cocktail base.
4. Mix It Up On #MoscatoMonday: Moscato is a perfect way to bring friends together while hanging out and enjoying a great movie, discussing the newest book or catching up on the latest news.

However people choose to celebrate the holiday, Gallo Family Vineyards wants them to save their corks in order to raise up to $50,000 to help end senior hunger through the winery's Every Cork Counts™ program. More information can be found at www.GalloFamily.com.

Moscato Ginger Margarita
Serves 1

Ingredients
1 1/4 ounces Gallo Family Vineyards Moscato 
1 ounce silver tequila
1 1/3 ounces lime juice
1/2 ounce orange juice
1/4 ounce ginger simple syrup
Rock salt
Lime wheel for garnish

Preparation
Combine Moscato, tequila, lime juice, orange juice and ginger syrup in an ice-filled shaker. Rim the glass with salt. Carefully add ice to the glass, then empty shaker into glass. Garnish with lime wheel.

About Gallo Family Vineyards
Since 1933, Gallo Family Vineyards has been family-owned and operated. As a result, family values are extremely important to the Gallo family, which is why every wine they craft is sealed with a Best Taste Promise, certifying the highest of quality in each bottle. For over 80 years, the Gallo family has sought to make wine accessible – easy to find and easy to enjoy. Today, the family considers it a great honor to be part of family gatherings across the country and across the world. The Gallo Family Vineyards collection of wines offers a variety of fruit-forward, approachable styles at affordable prices, including: Moscato, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pink Moscato, White Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Red Moscato, White Merlot, Sweet Red, Hearty Burgundy, Sweet White Blend and Sangria. (Suggested retail price: $4.99 for 750-ml bottles, $8.99 for 1.5-liter bottles, $5.99 for 187-mL four-pack.) For more information, visit www.GalloFamily.com, www.Facebook.com/GalloFamilyVineyards, www.Twitter.com/GalloFamily or www.Instagram.com/GalloFamily.   

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SOURCE Gallo Family Vineyards