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Asti / Moscato d'Asti

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Sparkling

Asti / Moscato d'Asti is a sparkling wine style known for peach, floral, grape. Its best-known homes are Piedmont, Italy.

Origin and history

Sweet, low-alcohol Piedmontese sparkling wines from Moscato Bianco; Carlo Gancia made Italy's first spumante in Canelli in 1865. Both share the Asti DOCG.

Where it grows

South-east Piedmont, in the provinces of Asti, Cuneo and Alessandria, with Canelli and Santo Stefano Belbo at its heart.

Structure

Light body, fresh acidity and sweet. Asti is fully sparkling (about 7–9.5% abv); Moscato d'Asti is gently frizzante (about 5%). Single tank fermentation, stopped by chilling.

Aromas, young and aged

Young: white peach, apricot, fresh grapes, orange blossom, sage and musk. Not made to age; it loses its fragrance quickly.

Ageing

Drink within 1–2 years of vintage.

Also known as

Asti Spumante; Moscato Bianco is also called Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.

Good to know

The fermentation is halted early, leaving natural grape sugar and low alcohol; a drier Asti Secco style has been permitted since 2017.

Similar styles

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