About this WINE
Cerutti, Piedmont
Gianmario Cerutti's family own 6ha of prime sandy calcareous soils at Cassinasco, 350 metres above sea level overlooking the Moscato d'Asti capital of Canelli in the Langhe Astiani. The family started to vinify their fruit in the 1930s before the first bottling in the '70s. Gianmario graduated from Alba's viticultural school Umberto 1 in 1992 & began working at the Coppo winery in 1997. His father now breeds prize-winning canaries so the cantina shrills to birdsong.
Over 50% of the property is devoted to growing Moscato, on one site: the Suri Sandrinet vineyard which is both high, sunny & perfectly ventilated. They also have just over a hectare of Barbera, some Dolcetto & Chardonnay.
Gianmario's Moscato d'Asti combines sweet (125 grams RS) frothy liquid meringue appeal with crystalline acidity; his Barbera d'Asti is unoaked and silky ripe for early drinking while the Monferrato Chardonnay (to become Piemonte Chardonnay DOC) is lemony ripe & precise.
Muscat
Muscat refers to a family of grapes of which there are around 200 different branches. Muscat Blancs à Petits Grains is the most noble of the variety and makes the best and most distinctive wines. It is the only wine grape that produces wines that actually taste of grapes, and can produce a range of wines from pale, bone dry whites, through to golden yellow, rich, sweet wines.
In Alsace, two types of Muscat are grown - Muscat Blancs à Petits Grains and Muscat Ottonel. They are usually blended to produce wines that tend to be light and dry with a fruity, musky character and an intensely aromatic bouquet. Intensely sweet late harvest wines are also produced.
Muscat de Beaumes de Venise is one of the best Vin Doux Naturels in France. This is produced by adding grape spirit to the partly fermented must - the best producers, such as Domaine de Durban, produce deliciously sweet wines with rich grapey aromas balanced by fruity acidity.
In Australia Muscat à Petit Grains is used to produce the fortified Liqueur Muscats of Victoria (esp. Rutherglen). These are extraordinary wines - dark and treacly with a sensational perfume of orange, raisins and honey.
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Description
A lovely example of authentic moscato, which tastes of liquid honeysuckle and makes you feel like you're wandering through meadows of freshly mown grass. The hip-hop brigade would probably put that slightly differently, though.
Wine: see the light with moscato, The Guardian, Fiona Beckett, 23 June 2012
Thanks to hip-hop, lighter, sweeter wines are all the rage. Moscato is pure, aromatic and unforced, sweet without being icky, and light, all qualities that also make it perfect for a summer's afternoon. The best moscatos tend to be the Italian originals, sold under the protected name of Moscato d'Asti. My favourites include Suri Sandrinet, Cerutti, Cassinasco Moscati d'Asti.
Rapper's Delight, The Observer, David Williams, 22 April 2012
Gianmario's lofty vineyards above Canelli managed to keep a cool head even during the August heat wave. While some bunches caught the sun, many more remained fresh and fragrant. Blending the two he's made a wine that's sunny yet perfumed, with grassy grapey fruit aromas and woven together by a wonderful creamy mousse.
Delicious on its own (straw not included) or why not rustle up a zabaglione made with it! You won't regret it!
(David Berry Green)
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