Asti Flashcards
What are Asti and Moscato d’Asti DOCG?
sparkling low-alcohol wines made from Moscato Blanco (Muscat Blanc Petit Grains) grown in a single delimited area within 3 provinces of Piedmont: Asti, Alessandria, and Cuneo
How are Asti and Moscato d’Asti DOCG wines made?
both made by a modification of the tank method commonly referred to as Asti method
General SAT for Asti DOCG and Moscato d’Asti DOCG
pronounced aromas and flavors of orange blossom, grapes and peach
med acidity, most are low alcohol and sweet
Asti DOCG is slightly higher in alcohol and fully sparkling
Moscato = lower alcohol, semi sparkling and typically higher residual sugar
good to very good quality
inexpensive or mid priced
What is Asti DOCG also known as
Asti Spumante
What is the climate for Asti DOCG
moderate continental with cold winters and hot dry summers; adequate rainfall with spring and autumn as rainiest seasons
What regulations are in place for Asti DOCG?
grapes are required to be grown on hillside sites (for better sunlight interception and drainage) with a preference to limestone and clay soils
what are max yields for Asti DOCG?
75 hl/ha for tank method wines
Describe Moscato Bianco
another name for Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
aromatic, early budding, mid-ripening, with small berry size
what is Moscato Bianco prone to? how is this dealt with
powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot - needs careful canopy management to avoid shade and enhance air circulation
What makes Moscato Bianco attractive to bees, flying ants and wasps and mites
thin skin and attractive scent
How does clonal selection help Moscato Bianco
makes it more resistant to disease perfumed and higher yielding
What density are Moscato Bianco planted?
medium density
How are Moscato Bianco trained?
Guyot system with vertical shoot positioning
in combination with low fertility soil and moderate rainfall the vine does not overcrop and VSP ensures good exposure to sunlight avoiding excessive humidity reducing risk of fungal disease
don’t want to remove too many leaves in hot years to avoid sun burn
what type of soil are the grapes with the most aromatic juice obtained from in Asti?
limestone but they are also planted in clay due to commercial success
How is harvest date decided in Asti
by ripeness of fruit with desired acidity as acidity is needed to balance the high sweetness of the final wine
When does harvest typically take place for Asti?
early to mid Sept normally well before the October rains
Asti = slightly earlier to ensure high acidity
Moscato d’Asti = slightly later for high aromatic intensity
How are Asti grapes harvested?
hand harvesting is required on steeper slopes or where whole bunches are desired
mechanical harvesting is increasingly becoming an option where it is possible - decreasing costs
What type of pressing is used to produce the best quality in Asti?
whole bunch pressing
How are grapes pressed when they are destemmed first or picked by machine
pressed as rapidly as possible in order to minimize oxidation
What happens after Asti grapes are pressed?
must is clarified