Santero Moscato d'Asti NV

Santero is a historic winery based in the Piedmont region of Italy, renowned for producing high-quality sparkling and sweet wines, with Moscato d’Asti being one of their standout creations. Founded in 1958, the Santero family has focused on crafting wines that are expressive of the local terroir, while embracing modern winemaking techniques to ensure consistency and quality. Moscato d’Asti is a specialty of Piedmont, and Santero’s version captures the essence of this lightly sparkling, aromatic wine with finesse and freshness.

Moscato d'Asti is produced from the Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains grape, grown in the rolling hills of Piedmont. The region’s cool climate and limestone-rich soils provide the perfect environment for the grape to develop its signature floral and fruity characteristics while maintaining vibrant acidity. Santero employs the traditional Charmat method for their Moscato d’Asti, which involves fermentation in stainless steel tanks. This method preserves the wine’s delicate aromas and natural sweetness, creating a lightly sparkling wine with low alcohol content.

Appearance: Pale straw yellow with a fine, persistent stream of bubbles. The wine has a brilliant clarity that reflects its youthful freshness.

Aroma: The nose is intensely aromatic, bursting with ripe peaches, apricots, and fresh citrus notes like lemon and orange blossom. There are also underlying floral scents of white flowers, jasmine, and a subtle honeyed sweetness.

Taste: The palate is sweet but light, with refreshing acidity that balances the rich flavours of ripe stone fruits such as peach, nectarine, and apricot. There are also hints of elderflower, honey, and a touch of orange zest, adding complexity. The gentle effervescence lifts the sweetness, making it feel vibrant and not cloying.

Finish: The finish is long, fresh, and sweet, with lingering notes of ripe fruit and a delicate floral lift. The wine leaves the palate feeling clean and refreshed, thanks to its lively acidity.

Food Pairing: Santero Moscato d’Asti pairs wonderfully with desserts and light, fruity dishes. One perfect match would be a classic fruit tart, where the sweetness and acidity of the wine complement the tart's fresh fruit and buttery pastry. Another ideal pairing is with blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola, where the wine’s sweetness contrasts beautifully with the saltiness and richness of the cheese, creating a balanced and indulgent combination.