Barefoot Strawberry Fruitscato Moscato

Barefoot Strawberry Fruitscato Moscato is a sweet, lightly effervescent California Moscato infused with natural strawberry flavor, bottled at 7.5% ABV in a 750ml format. It earned Best of Class Gold at the 2025 Los Angeles International Wine Competition and a Silver medal at the 2025 Critics Challenge Wine Competition, confirming its standing as one of the more decorated entries in the flavored Moscato category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: Flavored Sweet Moscato  |  Producer: Barefoot Cellars (E & J Gallo Winery)

Production & Heritage

Barefoot Cellars was founded in California and acquired by E & J Gallo Winery in 2005, giving the brand access to extensive Central Valley vineyard sourcing and consistent large-scale blending. The Fruitscato line pairs Moscato wine with natural fruit flavors — in this case, strawberry — and incorporates Barefoot's signature spritz, a subtle addition of carbon dioxide that lifts the fruit character and provides textural balance. That light effervescence distinguishes the Fruitscato range from standard still Moscatos, creating a style closer to a lightly sparkling wine than a traditional flat sweet wine.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe, sweet strawberry dominates the nose immediately, followed by faint hints of watermelon and a wisp of citrus peel. The overall impression is bright and fruit-forward, almost like freshly sliced strawberries in a bowl.

Taste: The entry is lush and juicy with strawberry flavor arriving front and center. At mid-palate, subtle watermelon and a gentle citrus sparkle emerge, providing enough contrast to keep the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional. Lime notes appear toward the peak, introducing a balancing tartness that tempers the sugar.

Finish: The finish is smooth and moderately short, trailing off with a lingering strawberry candy note. It fades crisp and clean, with the signature spritz providing a refreshing lift at the close.

How to Drink Strawberry Fruitscato

Serve well chilled — ideally between 38°F and 45°F — straight from the refrigerator. A stemless wine glass works well, and a few ice cubes on a hot day won't hurt a wine at this sweetness level. For cocktails, try a Strawberry Wine Spritzer topped with soda water and a squeeze of fresh lime for an easy warm-weather drink. A Fruitscato Sangria built with sliced peaches, oranges, and a splash of brandy takes advantage of the wine's natural fruit intensity. It also works in a Frozen Moscato Slush blended with ice and a handful of fresh strawberries, leaning into the wine's candy-sweet profile.

Best For

• Casual backyard gatherings and warm-weather entertaining
• Introducing wine newcomers to sweeter, approachable styles
• Brunch cocktails and mid-afternoon poolside sipping
• Dessert pairing when a full dessert wine feels too heavy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Strawberry Fruitscato taste like? It tastes predominantly of sweet, ripe strawberry with supporting notes of watermelon and lime, all carried by a light, slightly fizzy body that keeps the finish clean rather than cloying.

How does Strawberry Fruitscato compare to Santero Strawberry Moscato? Both are strawberry-flavored Moscatos, but Barefoot's version is generally lighter-bodied and lower in alcohol at 7.5% ABV, with a more pronounced effervescence from its signature spritz. Santero's offering tends toward a slightly more vinous Moscato character with Italian Piedmont sourcing, while Barefoot leans into candy-sweet, fruit-punch territory that appeals to a broader casual audience.

Is Strawberry Fruitscato good for beginners? Yes — its low 7.5% ABV, overt sweetness, and familiar strawberry flavor make it one of the most accessible entry points into wine for people who typically prefer soft drinks or flavored beverages.

Where is Strawberry Fruitscato made? It is produced in California by Barefoot Cellars, which operates under E & J Gallo Winery and sources grapes primarily from California's Central Valley, one of the state's most productive winegrowing regions.

What foods pair well with Strawberry Fruitscato? Fresh fruit platters with melon and berries match its flavor profile naturally. Angel food cake or vanilla cheesecake echoes the wine's sweetness without competing. Mild, creamy cheeses like mascarpone or brie work well, and light salads with strawberry vinaigrette create a cohesive pairing. Spicy Asian appetizers like sweet chili shrimp benefit from the wine's sugar and cold temperature as a counterbalance.

What sizes does Strawberry Fruitscato come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle and is also commonly found in 1.5L magnum format for larger gatherings.

Is Strawberry Fruitscato worth the price? It positions squarely in the value tier of flavored wines, and its recent Best of Class Gold medal at the 2025 Los Angeles International Wine Competition suggests it punches above its price point in quality relative to the category.

Why Strawberry Fruitscato?

Two competition medals in 2025 alone — including a Best of Class Gold — set this apart from the crowded field of flavored sweet wines that rarely receive formal recognition. The signature Barefoot spritz gives it a textural edge over flat-style competitors, adding a refreshing effervescence that makes the sweetness more balanced and drinkable. At 7.5% ABV, it sits at the lower end of the alcohol spectrum for wine, making it a genuinely sessionable option for long afternoons. For anyone drawn to fruit-forward, sweet styles, this is one of the few that backs up broad consumer appeal with actual competition hardware.