Description
The Asti PDO is reserved for the following typologies of wine: Asti or Asti Spumante, Asti or Asti Spumante Classic Method, Moscato d’Asti, Moscato d’Asti Late Harvest. The Designation also incorporates numerous geographical specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Asti PDO is within the territory of 53 municipalities in the provinces of Alessandria, Asti and Cuneo, in the Piedmont region.
Blends
Asti or Asti Spumante, Asti or Asti Spumante Metodo Classico, Moscato d’Asti, Moscato d’Asti Vendemmia Tardiva: 100% Moscato Bianco.
Description of product typologies
Asti PDO Spumante is pale straw-yellow in colour, with light golden highlights and a fine and persistent perlage; the nose is characteristic and delicate; it is characteristic and balanced on the palate, ranging from extra dry to sweet. The production process for the secondary fermentation of Asti PDO Spumante, to be carried out with a natural fermentation method “in autoclave” (Martinotti method), must last for at least one month, including the maturation period in the bottle. Asti PDO Spumante Metodo Classico is straw-yellow in colour, with golden hues and a subtle and dense perlage; it displays notes of apple, plum, and biscuit on the nose; on the palate it is aromatic and characteristic of the grape, with a slightly citrusy finish and long persistence. The production process for the secondary fermentation of Asti PDO Spumante Metodo Classico, to be carried out with the natural fermentation method in bottles, must last for at least 9 months. The product must remain undisturbed on the lees for the established length of time and then be separated by disgorgement.Moscato d’Asti PDO is straw-yellow in colour; fragrances of apple, plum, thyme and sage are displayed on the nose; it is sweet, aromatic and sometimes lively on the palate, characteristic of the Muscat grape.Moscato d’Asti PDO Vendemmia Tardiva is golden yellow in colour; on the nose it is very intense and characteristic of dried grape, with spicy notes; it is sweet, harmonious and velvety on the palate, with scents of Muscat grape evoking honey-comb. Moscato d’Asti PDO Vendemmia Tardiva wine must undergo an aging period of at least one year, commencing from the moment of preparation.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Asti PDO can be accompanied by three sub-geographical designations. Canelli, produced in a few municipalities in the provinces of Asti and Cuneo; Santa Vittoria d’Alba, produced in just one municipality; Strevi, produced in a few municipalities in the Province of Alessandria. All three of the sub-designations are only produced in the Moscato d’Asti tipology (including Late Harvest) with 100% Moscato Bianco. It is straw-yellow in colour; it displays a fragrance of apple, plum, thyme and sage on the nose; its flavour is sweet, aromatic and sometimes lively, characteristic of the Muscat grape. The Vendemmia Tardiva typologies of Moscato d’Asti PDO Santa Vittoria d’Alba and Moscato d’Asti PDO Strevi are golden yellow; they are fruity on the nose, very intense and characteristic of dried grapes, with spicy notes; they are sweet, harmonious and velvety on the palate, with scents of Muscat grape evoking honey. Moscato d’Asti PDO Vendemmia Tardiva wine must be aged for a period of at least one year, commencing from the moment of preparation.
