The Moscato di Terracina grape variety is found exclusively in Lazio, where it is used not only for winemaking but also as a table grape. Moscato di Terracina is quite similar to Moscato Bianco, which is known as Zibibbo in Pantelleria and as Moscato di Alessandria in other regions. It is likely a local adaptation of this clone, sharing the name of the family of grape varieties, which originates from the Latin term “muscum,” meaning moss, reminiscent of its aroma. Its cultivation area coincides with the Terracina DOC, located on the coastal part of the Pontine Plain. In the early 1900s, this area underwent extensive land reclamation and was converted into numerous cultivations, including vineyards, which were previously limited by the lack of arable land.

Moscato di Terracina has white, large, and spherical berries with a waxy, yellow-green skin. Its clusters are pyramid-shaped, and the leaves are medium-sized with five lobes. This grape is highly aromatic and versatile, used to produce wines in various styles, from still dry wines to sparkling and even passito versions. Moscato di Terracina wines are known for their intense aroma, ranging from ripe fruit and honey to hints of almond and iodine, the latter due to the grape’s proximity to the sea. The versatility of Moscato di Terracina allows it to pair well throughout the entire meal, from aperitifs to desserts.