Asti Flashcards
Is Asti a DOC or DOCG?
DOCG
What type of wine is made in Asti DOCG?
Low alcohol, tank fermented sparkling white wine made from Moscato Bianco
What is the French name of the primary grape used in Asti DOCG?
Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
Which provinces in Piemonte are included in the Asti DOCG zone?
Asti, Alexandria, and Cuneo
What is the character of Asti DOCG wines?
Medium sweet
Medium acid
Low alcohol
Sparkling
Aromas of orange blossom, grape, and peach
What are the similarities and differences between Asti DOCG and Moscato d’Asti DOCG?
Moscato d’Asti is made entirely from Moscato grown within the Asti DOCG zone
Moscato d’Asti DOCG has more sweetness, more acid, and less alcohol than Asti DOCG
What is the quality of Asti DOCG and Moscato d’Asti DOCG wines? What is their price range?
Good to very good quality
Inexpensive to mid priced
What is the climate in Asti DOCG?
Moderate continental with cold winters and dry, moderately warm summers
When are the rainiest seasons in Asti DOCG? How does this affect viticulture?
Spring and autumn, which affect fruit set and harvest
Where do regulations require grapes for Asti DOCG wines to be planted?
On hillside sites with a preference for limestone and clay soils inside the denomination
What are the maximum yields permitted for tank fermented Asti DOCG wines?
70 tons/ha
Describe the viticultural characteristics of Moscato Bianco.
Early budding
Mid ripening
Small berry size
What diseases and/or pests is Moscato Bianco susceptible to? Why?
Powdery mildew
Botrytis, due to small berry size
Bees, wasps, and flying ants due to its aromatic nature and thin skin
Mites
Modern research into Moscato Bianco is seeking what?
Ways to make the vine more resistant to disease, more perfumed, and higher yielding
Is Moscato Bianco planted at low, medium, or high density in Asti DOCG?
Medium density
What training methods are common for Moscato Bianco in Asti DOCG?
Replacement cane systems like Guyot with vertical shoot positioning
Which soil types in Asti DOCG provide the best aromatics for Moscato Bianco?
Limestone soils
Due to the commercial success of Moscato Bianco in Asti DOCG, vines are not only planted on limestone but also which type of soil?
Clay
What factor determines the harvest date of Moscato Bianco in Asti DOCG? Why?
The desired acidity in the grape. Acidity in the wine is needed for balancing the high sugar content.
When does harvest take place in Asti DOCG?
In mid September, ahead of October rains
How are the grapes used in Asti DOCG pressed? How is the juice treated immediately after pressing?
The grapes are soft pressed in whole bunches. The juice is settled, filtered, and refrigerated to 2-3⁰C (35.6-37.4⁰F)
What is unique about the production and release schedule of Asti DOCG wines? Why does this occur?
Asti DOCG wines may be continually produced over a year to accommodate demand. Unused must is refrigerated and stored until needed for production of additional wine.
Asti DOCG is intended to be consumed fresh, and thus is produced in such a way that its primary character is preserved in the market.
Describe the fermentation of Asti DOCG wines and why it is carried out this way.
Fermentation occurs in pressure-resistant tanks at 16-18⁰C (60.8-64.4⁰F) with neutral cultured yeasts. This helps to preserve primary flavors and dissolve CO2 into the wine.
Is malolactic conversion permitted in Asti DOCG?
No, as it would affect the primary flavors
What amounts of tirage and dosage are typical in Asti DOCG?
None. Asti DOCG is a tank fermented style. All sugar in the juice comes from the grape must, either naturally or through enrichment. All residual sugar is a product of halted fermentation.
When making Asti DOCG wine, is the fermentation tank pressurized at the start of the process?
No. Fermentation begins with an open valve and is closed when the necessary amount of sugar remains to a) create the desired level of sparkle, and b) reach the desired level of residual sugar
How is fermentation stopped in Asti DOCG wines?
By filtering the wine under pressure to remove the yeast
How long after production is Asti DOCG wine released?
A few weeks
Asti DOCG wines are produced in large stainless steel tanks and released soon after production. What does this mean for ther producer’s return on investment?
Large volumes of wine can be produced cheaply and quickly with a fast return
What is the traditional range of alcohol in Asti DOCG wines? Is this part of the denomination law today?
Traditionally, Asti DOCG wines were 6-8% ABV, but today may be made in drier styles. RS can be 12 g/L or higher (Extra Dry to Sweet)
What is the alcohol, sweetness, and pressure permitted in Moscato d’Asti DOCG wines?
6-8% ABV
130 g/L RS
2.5 atm
What are the three styles of wine being promoted by the Asti DOCG Consorzio?
Moscato d’Asti
Asti Secco
Asti Dolce
How does Asti Secco help the Asti DOCG perform in the marketplace?
Asti Secco encourages competition against drier styles of sparkling white wine, especially Prosecco.
What is the difference in Asti DOCG production between large producers and small producers?
Large producers internalized sparkling wine while production while smaller producers send their grapes to small, specialist firms.
What promotional body does the Asti DOCG consortium belong to? What other regions does the promotional body represent?
Piemonte Land of Perfection, which also represents Barolo, Barbaresco, and Gavi
What has been the trend of Moscato d’Asti DOCG wines in the United States since 2009? How has this affected production?
Moscato d’Asti has been fashionable and led to a doubling of production and export of the product
Where is the bulk of Moscato d’Asti consumed? Where is the bulk of Asti DOCG wine consumed?
Moscato d’Asti is consumed primarily in the U.S.
Asti DOCG wine is consumed primarily in Europe.
