Expert’s Choice: Asti
Low on alcohol, big on grapey deliciousness, refreshment and fun, the wines of Piedmont’s Asti region are ripe for rediscovery.
Deeply rooted in the winemaking history of Piedmont, Asti DOCG and Moscato d’Asti DOCG deserve greater attention.
A UNESCO World Heritage site of timeless charm, the region’s vineyards are planted on the sun-exposed slopes of limestone hills.
We are in the land of Moscato Bianco, part of the extensive family of Moscati present all over Europe and loved by noble courts in past t centuries for its perfumes and refreshing sweetness.
See notes and scores for 18 effervescent Asti wines below
Asti Spumante: A natural ‘lo-wine’
Representing almost two-thirds of Asti’s total annual production of 90 million bottles, Asti Spumante is mostly made using the tank or Charmat method – or should I say the Martinotti method, given that the technique was invented in 1895 by the then director of the oenological institute in Asti, Federico Martinotti.
Primary fermentation is halted by cooling the tanks, retaining the wine’s natural sugars and resulting in a lower alcohol content, typically around 7%-9%. The wine’s vibrant bubbles arise from secondary fermentation and the result is a smooth, round and creamy spumante.
Asti Spumante is incredibly versatile, pairing beautifully with light desserts and creamy cheeses, but also serving as an ideal aperitif.
In the last few years, a small group of winemakers has begun working on a more austere, tense and bone-dry version of Asti Spumante to celebrate its vibrant character with the touch of salinity the limestone soil can provide.
Moscato d’Asti: Froth & fruit
The production method for Moscato d’Asti involves lighter pressure during fermentation, creating a soft effervescence.
As a result, it has to be classified under the frizzante category. Its lower level of alcohol – around 5%-6% – and highly aromatic expression of ripe, zesty fruit and enticing orange blossom elements are complemented by some intense residual sugar.
The grapes are harvested by hand and yields for Moscato d’Asti are distinctly lower than for its fully sparkling counterpart.
Some of the wines can age surprisingly well, for 10-20 years – usually those from older vines and from the single-vineyard ‘sorì’ (the term refers to a very steep piece of land) or from the former sub-zone Canelli, which was elevated to a separate DOCG in 2023. These wines also typically offer a fuller body and more complex balsamic and saffron notes.
There’s a striking consistency across all of the 2024s I’ve tasted: the wines show explosive papaya, quince and pineapple notes combined with a floral touch and a ginger and lime twist, and that ‘piemontese feeling’ of mineral complexity.
18 effervescent Asti wines
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Terrabianca, Clerio, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2022
An extremely complex nose of apricots, honey, sage flowers and some mineral traits. The palate of this luscious wine is truly full-bodied, with inspiring saffron,...
2022
TerrabiancaMoscato d'Asti
Ca' d'Gal, Vigna Vecchia, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2019
Delightfully complex, with notes of saffron, quince and candy floss. Herbal, flinty ginger and candied violet elements. The depth, creaminess and clean, zesty finish, combined...
2019
Ca' d'GalMoscato d'Asti
Antichi Poderi dei Gallina, Poderi Gallina, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2024
An exotic infusion unfolds with oriental spices, balsamic notes and a touch of kumquat and wild mint. The delicious lemony finish is balanced with exceptional...
2024
Antichi Poderi dei GallinaMoscato d'Asti
Forteto della Luja, Piasa Sanmaurizio, Moscato d'Asti, Canelli, Piedmont, Italy, 2024
This beautifully rich wine features enticing papaya fruit alongside truffle undertones and tinned peach elements. Its intense, bittersweet nature complements a luscious peachy profile, creating...
2024
Forteto della LujaMoscato d'Asti
Gianni Doglia, Casa di Bianca, Moscato d'Asti, Canelli, Piedmont, Italy, 2023
Exuding maturity, this wine offers lush tropical aromas with floral notes of white iris and a lovely sweet, lemon pie finish that wraps it all...
2023
Gianni DogliaMoscato d'Asti
Marchesi di Barolo, Zagara, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2023
With a rich profile of pear, lemon and lime, this wine is reminiscent of lemon meringue. Creamy and luscious, it finishes with hints of apple...
2023
Marchesi di BaroloMoscato d'Asti
Matteo Soria, Giò Extra Brut, Asti, Piedmont, Italy
Bursting with wisteria, tangerine and guava, this delivers a dry palate with intense floral notes and a refreshing lime aftertaste. Its clean finish feels remarkably...
Matteo SoriaAsti
Michele Chiarlo, P Nivole, Moscato d'Asti, Canelli, Piedmont, Italy, 2024
Aromatic notes of dried flowers, hints of camomile and ginger extract. A clean, lemony mousse infuses the wine, along with the refreshing presence of orange...
2024
Michele ChiarloMoscato d'Asti
Ca' d'Gal, Asti, Piedmont, Italy
A delightful combination of cream, pears, quince and apple interlaced with brown sugar and a lemon twist that brings balance to its sweetness. A bittersweet...
Ca' d'GalAsti
Marcalberto, Metodo Classico, Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2021
Showing hints of lime, lemon curd and flint, this shines with balance and vibrant juiciness, perfectly cleansing the palate for more. Its refreshing nature and...
2021
MarcalbertoAsti
Poderi Roccanera, Sorì Eroici, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2024
Unveiling floral notes akin to dried roses and rose syrup, alongside quince and minerality, this is a wine of remarkable depth. Its bone-dry finish boasts...
2024
Poderi RoccaneraMoscato d'Asti
Cuvage, Millesimato Dolce, Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2019
Herbal notes, sweet roots and a lovely kiwi touch, combining tropical fruit flavours with a sweet lemon crunch. A refreshing sweetness brings a delightful finish...
2019
CuvageAsti
Dogliotti 1870, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2024
Citrus takes centre stage with captivating tangerine and a pleasant bitterness that creates perfect balance. The tension and lively crunch, combined with its cleanliness, contribute...
2024
Dogliotti 1870Moscato d'Asti
Massolino, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2024
In a more austere style, this gradually reveals lemon traits with some pretty notes of sweet apricot, dried rose petals, crunchy lime and a hint...
2024
MassolinoMoscato d'Asti
Tenuta Olim Bauda, Centive, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2024
A wonderful fusion of fruit and minerals emerges, featuring citrus notes and a lively finish. The clean palate is touched by Moscato's typical orange blossoms,...
2024
Tenuta Olim BaudaMoscato d'Asti
Cocchi, Asti, Piedmont, Italy
This elegant wine exudes vibrant citrus notes intertwined with hints of pine sap, basil and mint, showcasing a floral complexity. The palate is clean, with...
CocchiAsti
Vinchio Vaglio, Valamasca, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2024
Some pronounced herbaceous traits intermingle with white fruit and dried flower notes, lemon curd and a touch of orange peel bitterness, culminating in a finish...
2024
Vinchio VaglioMoscato d'Asti
Banfi, Rosa Regale, Asti, Piedmont, Italy
Showcases a varietal bouquet filled with orange, rose and orange blossom. The sweet palate presents an intense, creamy mouthful, finished with candy floss and a...
BanfiAsti
