Cerruti, Fol 2024

Cerruti sits firmly in the wonderfully rolling hills of Piedmont, where wine, hazelnuts and very strong opinions about food all seem to coexist naturally. The winery focuses heavily on Moscato and other classic local varieties, producing wines that capture the softer, more fragrant side of northern Italian winemaking without disappearing into sugary chaos.

Piedmont often gets most famous for its huge, serious Nebbiolo wines like Barolo and Barbaresco, but the region’s lighter aromatic wines are equally woven into local culture. Cerruti leans into that tradition beautifully, especially through Moscato-based wines that balance floral sweetness with freshness and delicacy rather than feeling heavy or sticky.

What makes these styles so enjoyable is the sheer drinkability. Peach, apricot, citrus blossom and soft grape aromas all tumble out of the glass, usually alongside a gentle sparkle that makes everything feel slightly more cheerful immediately. Proper dessert wine energy without requiring a nap afterwards.

There’s also something very traditionally Italian about wineries like Cerruti. The wines feel built for gatherings, pastries, fruit desserts and long family lunches where multiple generations argue loudly over absolutely everything except whether the wine is good.

Importantly, Moscato done properly is far more sophisticated than many people expect. Beneath all the fruit and perfume there’s often lovely freshness and balance keeping everything lively rather than cloying.

Basically, joyful wine for joyful situations. Italy remains annoyingly good at this.