Canelli DOCG takes one of those steps that mark a clear before and after in the history of a denomination: the official presentation of “I Cru di Enogea: Canelli DOCG. Zones and Vineyards”, the cartographic study by Alessandro Masnaghetti that reveals a new grammar for Moscato Bianco di Canelli, finally anchored to a precise, scientific and shared geography.
The presentation, hosted on April 20 at the headquarters of AIS Piemonte in Turin, brought together journalists, trade professionals and sommeliers around a project that is not merely a map, but an identity‑defining tool destined to redefine the way Canelli tells its story to the world.
From Sub‑Zone to Denomination: The Missing Piece
Commissioned by the Associazione Produttori Moscato di Canelli and supported by the Asti DOCG Consortium, the Enogea project arrives at a crucial moment. After two historic milestones—the recognition of the Canelli Sub‑Zone in 2011 and the creation of an independent DOCG in 2023—2026 marks the completion of the journey: giving Canelli DOCG a geographic face.
No longer an indistinct expanse of vineyards, but a mosaic of micro‑areas, each with its own pedoclimatic, historical and viticultural characteristics. A paradigm shift that aligns Canelli with the great denominations that have made zoning a tool of value, awareness and communication.
The Producers’ Voice: “A Historic Moment for Canelli DOCG”
Emphasizing the significance of the project is Gianmario Cerutti, President of the Associazione Canelli DOCG:
“Today we are experiencing a historic moment for the Canelli DOCG denomination. After the two fundamental milestones of 2011 and 2023, 2026 finally sees the realization of a great aspiration: having a detailed map of the territory, its zones and its vineyards. This is a concrete, tangible and essential tool to tell our story and to indicate— in the deepest sense of the word—where we come from. Each of our bottles contains a piece of territory and the soul of a Moscato Bianco di Canelli vineyard. From here begins a new, dynamic path to enhance our identity and make ourselves known worldwide.”
For Alessandro Masnaghetti as well, the Canelli map is not just another project, but the culmination of a journey that began more than thirty years ago:
“This map is the crowning achievement of a lifelong dream. One of my first articles on Moscato d’Asti dates back to 1991, when I began working with Luigi Veronelli. Then, as now, I was convinced that the hills of Moscato and Canelli deserved a more detailed narrative, hill by hill—just as was beginning to happen for Barolo and Barbaresco.”
A Living Map, Not a Static One
Enogea’s work combines field analysis, dialogue with growers, historical memory and direct observation, following a method Masnaghetti defines as both journalistic and cartographic. The map does not simplify the territory; it makes it readable without betraying its complexity.
One of the most meaningful passages in Masnaghetti’s reflection concerns the very purpose of the tool:
“A map can change the perception of a territory only if there is a group of producers who actually use it—crumple it, stain it, scribble on it, give it away. A map frozen in time, used only on special occasions, is of little real use.”
Here the Enogea project moves beyond the editorial dimension to become a collective act: a tool destined to enter wineries, tasting rooms, and the hands of sommeliers and wine communicators.
Canelli DOCG: Giving Quality a Name and a Place
“I Cru di Enogea: Canelli DOCG” is not only a visual representation, but a millimetric key to reading the denomination. Identifying zones and vineyards means being able to explain precisely why a Canelli DOCG born in one area differs from another.
For the Consortium and producers, the map thus becomes a strategic asset: a tool to strengthen market positioning, support communication, and enhance the inseparable bond between Moscato Bianco di Canelli and its soils.
The enthusiasm gathered during the Turin presentation confirms that Canelli DOCG is living a phase of genuine renewal, built not on slogans but on deep substance: zoning, awareness and identity.
In a landscape where Moscato is often told in generic terms, Canelli chooses the more demanding path—that of geographic precision. Because, as the Enogea map demonstrates, the future of denominations increasingly depends on the ability to say exactly where they come from.
