# Moscato d'Asti DOCG (2023)

- **Producer:** I Vignaioli di Santo Stefano
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Moscato Bianco
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 5.5%
- **Average price:** €16
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 6–8 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, apricot, orange, lychee, blossom

## About this wine

I Vignaioli di Santo Stefano was founded in 1976 in Santo Stefano Belbo as a joint venture between the Ceretto and Scavino families. The estate was established to elevate Moscato Bianco by applying rigorous viticultural standards and modern cold-fermentation techniques to a grape variety historically dominated by industrial mass production. Situated in the hilly Langhe and Monferrato zones, the winery farms around 40 hectares across Santo Stefano Belbo, Canelli, and Calosso, including the historic Tenuta San Maurizio.

## Interesting facts

- Founded in 1976 as a joint partnership between the Ceretto and Scavino families to elevate Moscato d'Asti.
- Features an iconic tall, slender bottle designed in 1987 by Italian designer Giacomo Bersanetti.
- Santo Stefano Belbo is the birthplace of wine producer Riccardo Ceretto and acclaimed author Cesare Pavese.

## Food pairing

The residual sugar in Moscato d'Asti harmonizes with sweet baked goods and fresh fruit, while its vibrant acidity refreshes the palate when paired with rich creamy desserts or soft cheeses.

## Wine making process

Hand-harvested Moscato Bianco grapes undergo soft pneumatic pressing followed by cold settling of the must at 2–3°C. Fermentation takes place in pressurized stainless steel autoclaves using the Martinotti-Charmat method at controlled temperatures between 16°C and 18°C. Fermentation is stopped by refrigeration once the alcohol reaches 5.5% ABV and pressure hits 2 atmospheres. The wine is kept cold in tank prior to bottling to preserve primary fruit intensity without oak maturation.