Cards of Wine

Asti Spumante (Italy)

Asti Spumante is a sparkling white Italian wine from Piemonte.

The main grape is Moscato Bianco.

Typical Flavors


Orange
Orange		 Peach
Peach		 Apricot
Apricot		 Grapes
Grapes

Flowers
Flowers		 Candy
Candy		 Honey
Honey		 Minerals
Minerals

Orange, Peach, Apricot, and Moscato Grape flavors are typical for Asti Spumante.

Notes of Perfume, Flowers (Acacia / Jasmine), Honey, and Minerals.

Profile

Asti Spumante wines are Sweet, Fruity, and Acidic:

SUGAROff-Dry
BODYLight
FRUITHigh
ACIDITYHigh
Serving temperatures:
6-8°C (43-46°F)

Food Pairing


Aperitif
Aperitif		 Strawberries
Strawberries		 Fruit
Fruit		 Dried Fruit
Dried Fruit

Salami
Salami		 Cantucci
Biscuits		 Panettone
Panettone		 Cheese
Cheese

Asti Spumante can be served as a light apertif.

In Piemonte it is served with fruit and Dolci (Dessert).

Pairing Suggestions

Not too sweet desserts:
Fresh Fruit. Strawberries !!!
Dried Fruit. Glaced Fruit.
Fruit Cake. Panettone. Lemon Cake.
Apple Pie (with Cream).
Salted Nuts. Biscuits. Cantucci.
Pudding. Hazelnut Desserts.
Charcuterie. Salted and Cured Meat.

Other Excellent Pairing:
Melon and Ham (Prosciutto).

Cheese:
Strong Cheese.

Asti Spumante DOCG

Asti Spumante is often confused with Moscato d’Asti.

Both are DOCG wines made from the same grapes in the same area. However, Moscato d’Asti is frizzante (slightly fizzy or semi-sparkling) as opposed to the fully sparkling Asti Spumante.

Moscato d’Asti has more delicate flavors and lower alcohol than Asti Spumante.

Piemonte (Piedmont)

Piemonte has been an important wine province since Roman times. The area is influenced both culturally and climatically by the Alps in the north, and the Ligurian coast in the south.

Red Wines:

Barbaresco
Barbera
Barbera Superiore
Barolo
Brachetto
Dolcetto
Nebbiolo
Nizza
Gattinara
Ruchè
Vespolina

White Wines:

Arneis
Cortese di Gavi
Favorita
Timorasso
Rossese

Rosé Wines:

Nebbiolo Rosato

Sparkling:

Alta Langa
Asti Spumante
Moscato d'Asti

Piemonte

Primary Grapes:

30% Barbera
20% Moscato
15% Dolcetto
10% Nebbiolo

Piemonte

Nebbiolo (the power of the Barolo and Barbaresco) is the most famous grape of Piemonte, followed by the red grapes Barbera and Dolcetto.

For whites, Cortese and Arneis are the most popular grapes.

For dessert, the off-dry, sparkling Moscato d'Asti is the queen.

The most important wine regions are:

  • Asti (Barbera d'Asti)
  • Langhe (Nebbiolo, Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera di Alba, Dolcetto, Roero)
  • Monferrato (Barbera del Monferrat, Nizza, Cortese di Gavi)
  • North (Gattinara, Ghemme)

Piemonte has 17 DOCG regions: