Marenco Pineto Brachetto d'Acqui

Marenco Pineto Brachetto d'Acqui is a lightly sparkling, naturally sweet red wine from Piedmont, Italy, bottled at 5.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Scored 92 points by Falstaff for the 2021 vintage, this single-vineyard Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG stands out for its aromatic intensity and crisp balance of sweetness and acidity — all achieved without any added sugar.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: Strevi, Piedmont, Italy  |  Appellation: Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG  |  Producer: Marenco Winery (est. 1925)

Production & Heritage

Marenco Winery has been a family operation since 1925, rooted in the hills of Strevi in southern Piedmont — one of the historic heartlands for the Brachetto grape. The Pineto bottling takes its name from the estate's prized vineyard site. Made from 100% Brachetto, the grapes undergo a 2- to 3-day skin maceration to extract the wine's distinctive ruby hue before clarification. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled pressurized tanks, preserving the wine's fine natural sparkle. Fermentation is then deliberately interrupted through filtration once the alcohol reaches 5.5%, locking in residual sweetness without any sugar additions — a hallmark of quality Brachetto d'Acqui production.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Wild fresh raspberries burst from the glass immediately, followed by fragrant rose petals and violets. Subtle hints of fresh thyme add herbal complexity beneath the dominant floral and berry character.

Taste: The entry is soft and inviting, with crunchy red berry fruits and a gentle effervescence lifting the palate. At mid-palate, a lovely inner sweetness emerges, countered by juicy acidity that keeps the wine lively and refreshing. Crisp wild berry fruits cascade through, layered with an air of violet and inner florals.

Finish: Medium in length, with a wild strawberry staining quality that lingers pleasantly. A soft fizziness carries through to the close, leaving the palate clean and bright.

How to Drink Marenco Pineto

Serve well chilled, between 6–8°C (43–46°F), in a tulip-shaped glass that concentrates its floral aromatics. This wine is at its best enjoyed on its own as a dessert wine or aperitif. A Brachetto Spritz — combining the wine with a splash of soda water and a raspberry garnish — makes a low-alcohol summer refresher. It also works beautifully in a Berry Bellini, standing in for Prosecco with its natural red fruit character. For a simple after-dinner serve, pour it alongside dark chocolate truffles as you would a classic Brachetto and Chocolate pairing, letting the wine's sweetness mirror the cocoa.

Best For

• Serving as a low-alcohol dessert wine at a dinner party
• Gifting someone who enjoys Moscato d'Asti and wants to explore something new
• Pairing with chocolate desserts on Valentine's Day or anniversaries
• Introducing friends to aromatic Italian sparkling reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Marenco Pineto taste like? It delivers bright wild raspberry and strawberry flavors with rose petal and violet florals, balanced by juicy acidity that prevents the natural sweetness from becoming cloying. A soft, fine sparkle adds texture throughout.

How does Marenco Pineto compare to Moscato d'Asti? Both are low-alcohol, lightly sparkling sweet wines from Piedmont, but Brachetto d'Acqui is a red wine built on berry and rose aromatics rather than Moscato's peach and elderflower profile. The Marenco Pineto is sometimes described as the light red equivalent of Moscato d'Asti, offering a similar weight and sweetness level in a completely different flavor spectrum.

Is Marenco Pineto good for beginners? Its low 5.5% ABV, gentle sweetness, and approachable fruit-forward character make it an excellent starting point for anyone new to Italian wines or sparkling reds.

Where is Marenco Pineto made? It is produced by Marenco Winery in Strevi, a commune in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. The Pineto vineyard sits within the Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG, a designated zone for this grape variety near the town of Acqui Terme.

What foods pair well with Marenco Pineto? Dark chocolate torte mirrors the wine's berry sweetness. Fresh strawberries and cream echo its dominant fruit notes. Aged blue cheese like Gorgonzola creates a compelling sweet-savory contrast. Almond biscotti complement the wine's delicate structure. Raspberry panna cotta harmonizes with the Brachetto's core flavor profile.

What sizes does Marenco Pineto come in? The standard bottling is available in 750ml format.

Is Marenco Pineto worth the price? Marenco Pineto positions as an accessible, well-priced entry into the Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG category, delivering single-vineyard quality and critical recognition — including 92 points from Falstaff — at a price point that remains firmly approachable for everyday enjoyment.

Why Marenco Pineto?

What separates this bottling from generic Brachetto d'Acqui is the single-vineyard sourcing from the Pineto site and a production method that achieves sweetness entirely through interrupted fermentation — no dosage, no added sugar. The 2- to 3-day skin maceration is carefully calibrated to deliver color and aromatic extraction without tannic heaviness, a detail that reflects nearly a century of family winemaking experience. Critical recognition backs this up: 92 points from Falstaff and 87 points from Wine Advocate confirm the wine punches above its modest alcohol level. For anyone who appreciates Moscato d'Asti but wants a red-fruited, floral alternative, Marenco Pineto is the definitive expression of what Brachetto can achieve.