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| DOCG area that is located in the southeastern portion of the piedmont region near the town of Asti. Asti Spumante is Italy’s most famous sparkling wine. The Asti Spumante DOCG is shared with Moscato d’Asti DOCG. Other DOC wines made in the area include Barbera d’Asti and Dolcetto d’Asti. The wines from this DOCG region are made from the Muscat grape. Although related, Moscato d’Asti is a frizzante rather than a sparkling wine. The wines are by and large semisweet to sweet and produced in a modified version of the charmat or autoclave method. Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti are differentiated by the time allowed for fermentation. The fermentation of Moscato d’Asti wines is stopped sooner than the fermentation of the Asti Spumante wines. This early interruption of fermentation creates a higher residual sugar content, a lower alcohol level, and less carbon dioxide resulting in a less effervescent wine.
Bottling of Asti Spumante DOCG wines are often packaged like champagne with a wired down cork, while Moscato d’Asti DOCG wines are generally packaged with a standard cork.
The wines from this wine making area are known for their fresh grapey taste and should be drunk young and fresh. |
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