Moscatello Passito Gesmino DOP 2021 – Pasetti

Let’s be honest: sweet wines aren’t usually everyone’s first choice, ours included. But Moscatello Passito Gesmino is the exception that changes minds. From the first sip, you’re wrapped in layers of apricot, honey, and a beautifully balanced sweetness that invites you to take another taste, just to understand it better.

Wondering how to pair it? The possibilities are endless. With chocolate desserts like brownies or dark chocolate cakes, like saker, it’s divine. If you’re a cheese lover, Gesmino brings out the best in rich, creamy cheeses. And for a personal touch? Dip your favorite dry biscuits into this wine, it’s indulgence at its finest!

Pasetti

The Pasetti winery’s history begins in the Bourbon era, when Silvestro Pasetti purchased land and planted vineyards. His son, Rocco, carried on his father’s vision. He faced and overcame the phylloxera plague, ensuring the family legacy endured.

Today, Mimmo runs the winery. He carefully preserves Abruzzo’s winemaking traditions, while also embracing innovation. His eldest daughter, Francesca, has red hair, a feature that connects her to both Madame Rachele and Franco’s mother. The Testarossa wine line, named in tribute to these women, has become the winery’s flagship brand.

All of Pasetti’s wines are crafted within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, an area that embodies the connection between the land and local grape varieties. The Testarossa red comes from Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes, while other wines are made using Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Pecorino, and Passerina varieties. Additionally, Pasetti produces a sweet white wine from Moscatello di Castiglione grapes, an ancient variety once nearly lost.

While many winemakers chose international varieties like Cabernet, Merlot, and Chardonnay, Mimmo believed native grapes would thrive in the right soil. His belief led him to revive Pecorino, an ancient grape variety. This decision proved successful, and today, Pecorino wine offers immense potential for the entire Abruzzo wine community. Viva l’Abruzzo!

Moscatello di Castiglione

Moscatello di Castiglione is a rare and indigenous white grape variety, deeply rooted in the ancient muscat family. Widely cultivated by the Romans, this variety thrives in the Abruzzo region of Italy, where it has become an integral part of local winemaking traditions.
During the Middle Ages, the Venetians played a key role in spreading the cultivation of Moscatello di Castiglione. Their vast trade networks with the Mediterranean islands helped introduce this prized variety to Northern Europe, earning it a special place in the history of European viticulture.

Unlike other Moscato variations, Moscatello di Castiglione stands out for its unique aromatic profile and distinctive qualities, making it one of the most sought-after white muscat grapes in the world.