What are the Asti Vibes? They’re rooted in delicious wines, to be sure—one sip of an Asti Spumante or a Moscato d’Asti are proof of that. But they’re also the culmination of a history that goes back to the very origins of Italian sparkling wine. The vibes are in the terroir, the region where the grapes are grown and harvested. It’s the wineries—more than 3,000 of them—that produce Asti wines, and the people whose expertise and experience make each bottle live up to its legacy. They’re the great meals which are complemented beautifully by Asti wines. And, of course, the vibes are in the intangibles, in the fun times that come with sharing great wines with great friends, and in the memories they help create.
DOCG: A Guarantee of Provenance
The Asti denomination is one of the most familiar and recognizable in all Italian wine. But what does “DOCG” mean? In Italian, it stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, which translated means, Denomination of Origin, Controlled and Guaranteed. In other words, the wine must come from grapes grown in a specific area of the Piedmont region of Italy; be made based on specific methods of growing, harvesting, and vinification; and go through the strictest quality controls. The Asti DOCG is especially important because the Piedmont region is where the first Italian sparkling wines were made more than 150 years ago, therefore boasting a deep knowledge of bubbles and winemaking, an extraordinary heritage, protected and celebrated by the Consorzio. The region is best known for its red wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco, but it also happens to be the perfect environment in which to grow the Moscato Bianco grapes that are used to make Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti. While the grape has its own characteristic aroma and flavor, it can vary slightly depending on the location of the vineyards, the soil composition, and the microclimate of each hillside, which is why it’s beneficial to try bottles from a variety of different winemakers of Asti denomination
One Territory, One Grape, Two Spectacular Wines
Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti come from the same Moscato Bianco grape and the same territory in Piedmont, but they’re two separate and distinct wines. Asti Spumante is the best-known Italian sparkling wine, and for good reason. The color is straw yellow. The tiny and persistent bubbles produce a sweet intensity on both the nose and palate. The fresh aroma, like the Moscato Bianco grape itself, is rich with floral fragrances and notes of ripe fruit, most notably acacia, wisteria, orange, and bergamot flowers, along with hints of sage and lemon. On the palate, it presents bright fruity notes of apricot, orange, and pear, balanced by crispness and acidity, with a long, lingering finish. It is typically bottled between 6% and 11% ABV, depending on if it’s sweet or dry.
Moscato d’Asti is a sweet, lightly effervescent wine with a low alcohol content, around 5% ABV. While it is fizzy, it’s not technically a sparkling wine because it only undergoes partial fermentation in pressure tanks, and it is incredibly pleasant to sip. Its bouquet is rich and intense, with dominant aromas of acacia flowers, wisteria, orange, and mountain honey, with a spicy undertone and subtle notes of elderberry, yarrow, and bergamot flowers. Its flavor is intense and complex, with notes of citrus, peach, and apricot, as well as distinctive hints of sage.
Versatile Wines to Pair With Cakes, Caviar, or Asian Food
Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti go wonderfully with desserts. Try Asti Spumante with buttery cakes, almond biscotti, or rich, creamy puddings. Moscato goes especially well with fruit tarts or dried fruit. But searching for the contrast that can offer great experiences, they can be paired with a wide spectrum of dishes and cuisines. Their sweetness and acidity play beautifully with savory indulgences from truffles to caviar to oysters. They also complement spicy Asian recipes from throughout the region, from Szechuan dishes from China to gochujang fried chicken from Korea and curries from Thailand. And for more informal get-togethers, Asti Spumante matches up with flavorful cheeses and cured meats, making it the ideal accompaniment to a charcuterie board.
How to Create Your Own Asti Vibes
There’s no wrong way to appreciate Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti—at a party or a quiet night in; paired with a hearty meal or savored by itself; on occasions formal or informal. Regardless of where or how you enjoy the wines of Asti DOCG, each one has a unique story to tell. But what they all have in common are the Asti Vibes: the shared tradition and craftsmanship united in perfect harmony and the land that makes them so celebrated. It’s a history, and a vibe, that’s worth exploring.
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