Sparkling wine Asti: assortment and reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Any New Year's feast is complete without champagne. French drinks are not as common as sparkling wines from Italy. They are represented by various types. Asti sparkling wine is a special representative of the sizzling drink.

History of Appearance

White Muscat grapes have been known since antiquity, but the history of Asti champagne is not so long. It is first mentioned in the 19th century. This time is the date of appearance of wine, although it was known long before that. The sparkling drink appeared in Italy, the Piedmont region.

In the 18th century, Giovanni Croce created a special technology for the production of Asti sparkling wine, until that time it had been fermented. He also figured out how to preserve the sugar content of champagne, and the result was a drink that all fans appreciated because of its extraordinary taste.

The wine has aromas of flowers, honey and apples. And the bubbles added to its taste. Thus, a drink was born that was different from other similar products of that period.

The success of wine is amazing. Numerous companies have launched it.

Champagne orsparkling wine?

What is the correct name for a drink? Sometimes the product is called champagne, but this is not accurate, and the point is not even that drinks produced in the province of France of the same name can be called that way. The following differences exist:

1. By grape variety. French champagne is not made from Muscat, but it is perfect for Asti sparkling wine.
2. On technology. Unlike the production of champagne, the fermentation process is carried out not in bottles, but in enameled or steel vats. This process in Italy is called Metodo Charmat-Martinotti. In the production of wine, a unique charm technology is used.
3. For sweetness. Asti is a sweet and sparkling wine, because it is made from the Muscat grape variety. Champagne has different taste qualities. After all, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which grow on the limestone soils of the Champagne region, are used to make it.
4. At cost. Sparkling white wine Asti has a lower cost than natural French champagne. However, popularity increased its price. This applies to drinks such as Asti Cinzano, Asti Martini and others.

Therefore, all of these features must be considered when choosing one of these drinks.

Production cycle

The production process of sweet wine is identical for all companies that produce it. For its production, grapes of the “white muscat” variety are taken. It belongs to the common species that were cultivated in the era of the Romans and Greeks.

In the Middle Ages, "white muscat" was grown only by we althy winemakers, because the drink was of great value. Asti sparkling wine is famous for its rather sweet and aromatic taste.

To obtain an optimal harvest, grapes need to be grown at an altitude of 200-400 m above sea level. Important and climatic conditions during the entire period of its cultivation.

Production is located in the province of Asti, as well as in Cuneo and Alexandria. Most valuable substances in grapes before harvesting, and the maximum amount is reached in early September. At this time, his cleaning begins. All operations are done by hand so as not to damage the berries and preserve their special aroma.

After harvesting, the grapes are turned into must. Raw materials after filtering from harmful impurities are pressed in a soft way. The resulting wort is cooled to low temperatures to prevent the fermentation process.

The wort is brought to 20 degrees and yeast is added. When the alcohol reaches 5.5%, the drink enters the fermentation stage. This takes place in closed autoclaves. Carbon dioxide is retained and dissolved in the wine. It forms bubbles in the drink. The method is called the Martinotti method.

The fermentation of the drink is stopped by cooling, when the alcohol is 7-9%, and the sugar is 3-5%. It is then bottled under completely sterile conditions.

Varieties

Today, Bacardi Martini produces the following types of alcoholic beverages:

• Asti Martini is a sparkling wine that tastes of ripe apples, peaches andoranges combined with honey undertones with a long aftertaste. The drink has an unforgettable aroma of grapes.
• Martini Brut - white sparkling wine. It has a special taste of elite grape varieties, with softness and a long elegant aftertaste. Has a pronounced aroma of grapes.
• Martini Prosecco is a white sparkling wine named after the Prosecco grape variety. Fresh taste with notes of grapefruit, peach and green apple. There are spicy notes in the aftertaste.
• Martini Rose is a semi-dry sparkling wine with a pink hue. It has a light taste due to the mixing of two grape varieties. You can feel the aroma of citrus fruits, peach in it.
• Martini Royal Bianco is a cocktail of Martini Bianco and Prosecco. It has an elegant taste and delicate aroma, which contains field herbs, tinted with sweet vanilla and spices.
• Martini Bianco and Prosecco consists of several types of sparkling wine. It has a pink color with a deep taste of spicy cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. The wine has a delicate aroma of overripe raspberries with hints of lemon.

Among the diverse assortment of alcoholic beverages, each person can choose the one that suits his tastes.

Popular brands

Asti sparkling wine is produced on the market by 15 major distilleries in Piedmont. They produce a huge range of alcoholic products with different names. The top 10 world leaders are:

1. Sparkling wine Asti Mondoro. Has many awards. Sweet aftertaste with aromas of pineapple, peach, pear and honey. Contains 7.5% alcohol.
2. Tosti Asti. Wine company "Tosti". The taste is sweetish with the aroma of pears and wisteria.
3. Martini & Rossi Asti. Champagne has a sweet taste and aroma of apples, citrus and peaches.
4. Sparkling wine Gancia Asti. A "White Muscat" champagne with hints of fruit, sage and honey.
5. Cinzano Asti. Unusual champagne, gaining popularity. It has a delicate taste of honey and herbs with aromas of acacia, sage, vanilla and melon.
6. Fontanafredda Asti. An amazing champagne with a long strawberry aftertaste. Aromas of hawthorn, ripe fruit and rosemary.
7. Riccadonna Asti. Sparkling drink with a fresh and sweet taste. Has fruity-floral notes.
8. Zonin Asti. Sweet sparkling wine has an unsweetened sweet aroma of "white muscat".
9. Vallebelbo San Maurizio Asti. The drink has a sweet taste with a delicate aftertaste.
10. Santero Asti. It has a fresh taste, aroma of apples and spices.

All of these producers are engaged in the production of sparkling wine Asti category DOCG. When buying them, you should take into account certain nuances. Asti champagne and Moscato d’Asti wine are not the same type of drink.

Among drinks, Acquesi Asti sparkling wine stands out with its taste and aroma. True, not all buyers are delighted with it. The taste is sweet, with the aroma of flowers andcitrus.

How to drink and use?

Sparkling wine is most often drunk young, because after two years it loses its freshness. The floral notes become heavier and the fruity aroma disappears.

Although Asti is classified as a sweet drink, it has a small amount of acid. Most often it is served with salads, spicy Asian dishes, desserts, sweet fruits. You need to drink it chilled to 6-8 degrees.

Chefs use the drink as an ingredient in special dishes.

Who's gonna love it?

Thanks to the availability of "Martini Asti" can be served for any occasion:

• At the wedding, it will successfully replace domestic champagne.
• Celebration of the New Year will be more pleasant if this sparkling wine is poured into glasses.
• Romantic date.
• Any home holiday.

"Martini Asti" can be given to a woman on March 8 and Valentine's Day.

The difference between the original and the fake

Currently, fakes are far from uncommon on the alcohol market. To purchase high-quality sparkling wine, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Initially, you need to pay attention to the cost of the drink, because real sparkling wine cannot be cheap.
2. Champagne bottle labels must be even and of high quality, without any defects.
3. It is necessary to compare the indicated volume with the excise stamp, it must match.
4. On the verythe label must contain the abbreviation DOCG, which guarantees product quality.
5. The cork on the bottle is made of wood.
6. The bottom of the bottle should be rounded. If it is even, then it is a fake.

It is best to buy champagne in specialized stores.

Customer Reviews

Sparkling wine evokes mostly positive emotions due to its unusual taste and aroma. A drink can make any celebration enjoyable and unique.

Negative reviews include the high cost of the drink.

Sparkling wine Asti is a drink that can brighten up any holiday. It can be served with various dishes and desserts, which will emphasize their taste favorably.