Ceretto Moscato d'Asti Stefano

Ceretto Moscato d'Asti Stefano is a certified organic, lightly sparkling sweet wine from Piedmont, Italy, at 5–5.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2023 vintage earned 90 points from James Suckling, reinforcing this bottling's reputation as one of the benchmark expressions of Moscato d'Asti.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5–5.5%  |  Origin: Santo Stefano Belbo e Calosso, Piedmont, Italy  |  100% Moscato Bianco  |  Producer: Ceretto / I Vignaioli di Santo Stefano

Production & Heritage

The Ceretto family has been producing wines in Piedmont's Langhe and surrounding hills since the 1930s, growing into one of the region's most respected houses. The Moscato d'Asti Stefano is sourced from vineyards in Santo Stefano Belbo and Calosso under the I Vignaioli di Santo Stefano label and is made from 100% Moscato Bianco — known internationally as Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, the most aromatic member of the Muscat family. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled tanks and is deliberately halted when the wine reaches approximately 5% alcohol, preserving generous residual sugar and the grape's signature perfume. Since 2017, production has been certified organic, with an emphasis on lower yields and meticulous vineyard selection that separates this bottling from many mass-market alternatives in the appellation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe white peach and apricot, moving into layers of elderflower, orange blossom, and honeysuckle. A subtle chamomile undertone emerges as the wine breathes, lending a graceful floral complexity.

Taste: On the entry, sweet melon and pear flavors are immediate and generous, cushioned by a fine, persistent mousse that feels lush and creamy on the mid-palate. Bright acidity rises through the sweetness at the peak, keeping the wine balanced and preventing it from tipping into cloying territory.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering impressions of honey, acacia blossom, and stone fruit. The gentle fizz fades cleanly, leaving a refreshing, almost sorbet-like quality.

How to Drink Moscato d'Asti Stefano

Serve well chilled, between 6–8°C (43–46°F), in a tulip glass or white wine glass to concentrate the aromatics. This wine shines as an aperitif or a dessert companion and is best enjoyed young. A Bellini works beautifully here — the peach character in the wine amplifies the classic cocktail's fruit. A Moscato Spritz, built with a splash of soda and a slice of fresh peach, plays to the wine's delicate fizz without overwhelming its low alcohol. For a brunch option, try it in a Hugo Spritz alongside elderflower liqueur and mint, where the wine's natural floral notes create seamless harmony.

Best For

• Introducing a non-wine-drinker to quality Italian wine
• Pairing with a fruit-forward dessert course at a dinner party
• Gifting to someone who appreciates organic or sustainably produced wines
• Warm-weather afternoon sipping on a patio or terrace

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Moscato d'Asti Stefano taste like? It delivers generous white peach, pear, and sweet melon flavors wrapped in a fine, creamy mousse, with floral notes of elderflower and honeysuckle balanced by bright, refreshing acidity.

How does Moscato d'Asti Stefano compare to Castello del Poggio Moscato? Both are sweet, lightly sparkling Moscato wines from Piedmont, but the Ceretto bottling is certified organic and sourced from specific vineyard sites in Santo Stefano Belbo and Calosso, resulting in a more defined aromatic profile. Castello del Poggio targets a broader market at a lower price point, while the Ceretto expression is consistently rated higher by critics, including a 90-point score from James Suckling for the 2023 vintage.

Is Moscato d'Asti Stefano good for beginners? Absolutely — its low alcohol (5–5.5% ABV), approachable sweetness, and gentle fizz make it one of the most welcoming wines for people new to wine. The quality of production also ensures there is enough complexity to keep experienced drinkers interested.

Where is Moscato d'Asti Stefano made? It is produced by the Ceretto family under the I Vignaioli di Santo Stefano label in the communes of Santo Stefano Belbo and Calosso, within the Moscato d'Asti DOCG zone in Piedmont, northwestern Italy.

What foods pair well with Moscato d'Asti Stefano? Fresh fruit tarts complement its peach and apricot notes. Panna cotta or crème brûlée echo the wine's creamy texture. Mild blue cheeses like Gorgonzola Dolce provide a savory counterpoint to the residual sugar. Almond biscotti and amaretti cookies mirror the wine's stone-fruit character. Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes are also a classic pairing, as the sweetness and low alcohol temper heat effectively.

What sizes does Moscato d'Asti Stefano come in? The standard size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Moscato d'Asti Stefano worth the price? It positions as a premium Moscato d'Asti — priced above mass-market bottlings but justified by certified organic production, site-specific sourcing, and consistent critical recognition in the 88–93 point range across vintages.

Why Moscato d'Asti Stefano?

The organic certification adopted in 2017, combined with lower yields and precise vineyard selection in Santo Stefano Belbo and Calosso, gives this wine a concentration and aromatic purity that stand apart from generic Moscato offerings. Critic scores averaging between 88 and 93 points across vintages confirm its consistency at the upper tier of the DOCG. The Ceretto name carries decades of credibility in Piedmont winemaking, and this Moscato expression channels that expertise into a low-alcohol, genuinely pleasurable wine that rewards attention without demanding it.