Asti Spumante (Italy)
Asti Spumante is a sparkling white Italian wine from Piemonte.
The main grape is Moscato Bianco.
Typical Flavors
 Orange |
 Peach |
 Apricot |
 Grapes |
 Flowers |
 Candy |
 Honey |
 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:
| SUGAR | Off-Dry | ||
| BODY | Light | ||
| FRUIT | High | ||
| ACIDITY | High | ||
| |||
Food Pairing
 Aperitif |
 Strawberries |
 Fruit |
 Dried Fruit |
 Salami |
 Biscuits |
 Panettone |
 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
Dolcetto Dogliani
Nebbiolo
Nizza
Gattinara
Ruchè
Terre Alfieri
Vespolina
White Wines:
Arneis
Cortese di Gavi
Favorita
Langhe Rossese
Roero Arneis
Terre Alfieri Arneis
Timorasso
Rosé Wines:
Sparkling:
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:
- Alta Langa (Metodo Classico)
- Asti (100% Moscato)
- Barbaresco (100 %Nebbiolo)
- Barbera d'Asti (Min 90% Barbera)
- Barbera del Monferrato (Min 85% Barbera)
- Barolo (100% Nebbiolo)
- Brachetto d'Acqui (100% Brachetto)
- Gavi (100% Cortese)
- Dogliani Superiore (100% Dolcetto)
- Ovada Superiore (100% Dolcetto)
- Diano d'Alba (100% Dolcetto)
- Erbaluce di Caluso (aka Caluso)
- Gattinara (Min 90% Nebbiolo)
- Ghemme (Min 85% Nebbiolo)
- Nizza (100% Barbera)
- Roero (100% Arneis)
- Castagnole Monferrato (90% Ruchè)