Sweetness: Sweet

Grape: Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains)

Grape info: Moscato Bianco’s grapey aromatics make it well-suited to the production of dessert wines. Characteristically floral and sometimes displaying spicey notes, grapes are often dried prior to fermentation in a ‘passito’ style to produce lusciously sweet aromatic wines.

About: Il Cascinone was acquired by leading Piemonte producer Araldica in 1999 - an exceptional estate in the Monferrato hills which has undergone extensive restoration and replanting. Now around 70ha of the total 102ha are in full production.

The grapes are dried on 'graticci' - a traditional Italian rush mat. During this time 40% of the fruit's weight is lost by water evaporation. In mid-December the whole bunches are pressed and then a slow fermentation is undertaken in oak barrels for 2 months followed by 12 months ageing prior to bottling.

Tasting note:A nose of marmalade and orange peel with fragrant honeysuckle notes. The palate has lots of ripe apricot and acacia honey characters with honeyed sweetness, well-balanced by a fresh citrus zest bite on the lingering dry fruit finish.

Character: Apricot, marmalade, honeysuckle