Description
The Asti PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: Asti or Asti Spumante, Asti or Asti Spumante Classic Method (traditional method), Moscato d’Asti, Moscato d’Asti Late Harvest. The Designation also incorporates three geographical specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Asti PDO is within the territory of 51 municipalities in the provinces of Alessandria, Asti and Cuneo, in the Piedmont region.
Description of product typologies
Asti PDO Spumante ranges from straw-yellow to pale golden yellow, with a fine and persistent perlage; the nose is characteristic and delicate; it is characteristic and balanced on the palate, ranging from pas dosé to sweet. The production process for the secondary fermentation of Asti PDO Spumante, which must 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 ranges from straw-yellow to very pale golden yellow, with a thin, dense perlage; it displays notes of apple, plum, bread crust and biscuit on the nose; it is aromatic on the palate, characteristic of the grape, with a slightly citrusy finish and long persistence, ranging from pas dosé to sweet in the extra brut, brut, extra dry, dry or sec, demi-sec wines. The production process for the secondary fermentation of Asti PDO Spumante Metodo Classico, which must be carried out with a natural fermentation method in the bottle, 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, varying in intensity; fragrances of apple, plum, thyme and sage are displayed on the nose; it is sweet, aromatic and at times lively on the palate, characteristic of the Moscato grape. Moscato d’Asti PDO Vendemmia Tardiva is golden yellow; it is very intense and fruity on the nose, characteristic of dried grape, with spicy notes; it is sweet, harmonious and velvety on the palate, with hints of Moscato grape reminiscent of honey-comb. Moscato d’Asti PDO Vendemmia Tardiva wine must undergo an ageing period of at least one year, commencing from the moment it has been made.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The designation can be accompanied by three geographical sub-areas. Asti PDO Canelli, produced in a few municipalities in the provinces of Asti and Cuneo; Asti PDO Santa Vittoria d’Alba, produced in just one municipality; Asti PDO Strevi, produced in a few municipalities in the Province of Alessandria. All three of the sub-designations are only produced as Moscato d’Asti wine made with 100% Moscato Bianco. It is straw-yellow; it displays a fragrance of apple, plum, thyme and sage on the nose; the flavour is sweet, aromatic and at times lively, characteristic of the Moscato grape. The specifications for Santa Vittoria d’Alba and Strevi sub-areas also include Asti PDO Spumante and Asti PDO Spumante Metodo Classico (traditional method) wines; the specification for the Santa Vittoria d’Alba sub-area also includes the Moscato d’Asti PDO Vendemmia Tardiva wine. It is golden yellow; fruity on the nose, very intense and characteristic of dried grapes, with spicy notes; it is sweet, harmonious and velvety on the palate, with hints of Moscato grape reminiscent of honey. Moscato d’Asti PDO Vendemmia Tardiva wine must be aged for a period of at least one year, commencing the moment is made.
Additional specifications
The Asti PDO designation can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
