A non-Champagne sparkling wine, Asti spumanti comes from the Turin region of Italy and is very popular with new wine drinkers. Asti spumanti is Italy’s second most produced wine, with “clones” produced in California and other locations. It is a sweet-to-semi-sweet dessert wine. Some people prefer asti to French Champagne because of asti’s sweetness and easy drinking qualities.
Martini & Rossi, the leading producer of asti spumanti, cranks out 21 million bottles annually of this fine alcohol. It was first named “Moscato Champagne”, but by the time it came over to the US (1930s) they changed the name.
Asti spumanti is made from Muscat Canelli grapes. Asti is the town that actually supplies the grapes, while “Spuma” means “foam”. Asti Spumanti is a light yellow color, and is sweeter than typical French Champagne. It should be served in a tall, thin glass to preserve its bubbles.
Asti spumanti goes very well with sweet desserts – a dish of strawberries, a sweet peach pie. It is the perfect summertime drink – light and sweet!
Asti spumanti should be served at 41F, which is almost out-of-the-fridge temperature.
Asti Spumanti is a drink now wine. It is not meant for aging. It will not go “bad” if it’s old, it just will not taste as good.
Main characteristics
Colour: from straw yellow to pale golden yellow
BOUQUET: fragrant, of Moscato grapes
TASTE: sweet, aromatic and chatacteristic
AKA: Turin region of Italy
Often blended with: rarely blended
Price range: £4.99- £15.99 (4.90-15.90 €,8.39-26.07$)
Salute
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