Cantine Povero is a family-run winery based in Cisterna d’Asti in the Piedmont region of Italy, producing wines that reflect the traditional viticultural heritage of the area with a modern sustainable approach.

Cantine Povero works across the Monferrato, Roero and Langhe zones, making a diverse range of wines including aromatic whites, structured reds and sparkling styles in addition to Moscato d’Asti.

The winery emphasises sustainable and organic farming practices, with vineyards cultivated without herbicides or chemical fertilisers and a focus on environmental stewardship and ecological balance.

Piedmont, located in northwest Italy at the foothills of the Alps, is one of the country’s most prestigious and renowned wine regions. Known for its rolling hills, diverse microclimates, and rich soils, Piedmont offers ideal conditions for growing some of Italy’s most celebrated grape varieties. The region experiences a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, moderated by the nearby Alps and the Tanaro River, which helps reduce frost risk and provides humidity essential for certain grape-growing practices.

Piedmont’s key grape varietals include Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto for reds, and Moscato Bianco and Cortese for whites. Nebbiolo, the star grape, is famous for producing powerful and complex wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco, characterised by firm tannins, high acidity, and aromas of cherry, tar, and roses. Barbera offers softer, fruit-forward wines with vibrant acidity, while Dolcetto is known for its approachable, juicy style. Moscato Bianco, used in the production of the sparkling Asti, provides aromatic, sweet wines, and Cortese is the grape behind the crisp, floral Gavi wines.

Viticultural challenges in Piedmont include late spring frosts, which can damage young buds, and the risk of hail, especially during summer storms. The region’s steep vineyard slopes also make mechanisation difficult, necessitating labour-intensive cultivation. Despite these challenges, Piedmont continues to produce world-class wines prized for their elegance and ageing potential.

Moscato Bianco, also known as Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, is one of the oldest and most aromatic wine grapes in the world, with origins traced back to ancient Greece.

It is prized for its intensely perfumed character, producing wines with pronounced aromas of orange blossom, rose petals, jasmine, ripe grape and citrus peel. Despite its sweet-smelling nose, wines made from Moscato Bianco can range from fully sweet to dry and lightly sparkling. The grape retains good natural acidity, which helps balance sweetness and gives freshness on the palate.

Moscato Bianco thrives in warm, sunny climates but benefits from cooler nights, making it well suited to hillside vineyards. It is widely planted in Italy, particularly in Piedmont for Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumante, as well as in parts of France and beyond.