Asti

Question 1

ASTI -Characteristic of the wine?

Describe an Asti wine?

Answer 1

Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains

sweet, Med acidity, low Alcohol, sparking wine

Grown in Piemonte: Asti, Alexandria, and Cuneo

modified tank method

pronounced aroma s of orange blossom, peach, grapes

Question 2

ASTI -Characteristic of the wine?

what is the difference between DOCGs?

Answer 2

Asti DOCG- also known as Asti Spumante (fully sparkling)

slightly higher in Alcohol,

Moscato d’Asti DOCG- lower in Alcohol,

semi-sparkling, higher RS

Both are good to very good, inexpensive to med-priced

Question 3

ASTI- Growing Env and Grape Growing

describe the growing environment for Asti DOCG

Answer 3

moderate continental, cold winters, hot dry summers

adequate rainfall -spring & fall rainiest.

spring rain hazard for fruit set

planting is on hillsides for better sunlight and drainage

preference for limestone and clay soils

75 hL/ha for tank wines

Question 4

ASTI- Growing Env and Grape Growing

describe the nature of the Moscato Bianco

Answer 4

Italian name for Muscat Blanc a petit Grains

early budding, mid ripening , small berries

prone to powder milder, botrytis

needs canopy management- avoid shade, air cir

thin skin- attractive to bees, flying ants, mites

Question 5

ASTI- Growing Env and Grape Growing

describe vineyard management of Muscat Bianco

Answer 5

medium density, trained Guyot system with VSP

low fertility soil & moderate rainfall to prevent overcropping

VSP – good sun, avoid excessive humidity (reduce fungal), fruit ripening

carful not to remove too many leaves or sunburn

Question 6

ASTI- Growing Env and Grape Growing

soil structure?

Answer 6

DOCG planted on hillside for better drainage and sun interception

preference for limestone

and clay -for commercial success

Question 7

ASTI- Growing Env and Grape Growing

when is harvest?

Answer 7

_____ is when desired acidity is in balance with high sweetness on final wine

-early to mid September – before October rains

Asti picked slightly earlier to ensure high acidity

Moscato d’Asti picked later for high aromatic intensity

-hand harvest required on steep slopes, mech on where possible

Question 8

ASTI- Winemaking

goal for harvest?

Answer 8

to minimize oxidation- want to ensure fruity floral notes most

• if hand harvest then can whole bunch press for best quality
• if destemmed/ machine then pressed as

Question 9

ASTI- Winemaking

List the production phases for making Asti and Moscato d’Asti wine?

Answer 9

1 clarification and filtration of the must followed by chilling and storage (2-3C/ 36-37)

-can stay for up to 2 years w/o looing freshness

2 single fermentation of the warmed up must on demand

Question 10

ASTI- Winemaking

what winery costs are required for wine production?

Answer 10

large investment in equipment:

presses, flotation tanks, filtration or centrifuge equipment, large heat exchangers, refrigeration storage

Ongoing energy costs:

power needed for machinery and chilled storage

Question 11

ASTI- Winemaking

noted temp for wine storage and fermentation?

Answer 11

1 Storage: 2-3C or 36-37F for up to 2 years

2 Fermentation: 16-18C or 61-64F

Question 12

ASTI- Winemaking

Tirage and dosage

Answer 12

Both Asti and Moscato d’Asti made through single ferm

CO2 comes from converting sugar from original must

no _____ is used

Wine is sweet b/x ferm is stopped by cooling before dryness and not through _____

Question 13

ASTI- Winemaking

describe the fermenting process?

Answer 13

at start the CO2 is release through a tank valve

must sugar is monitored

amount of sugar and desired pressure (frizzante / spumante) is calculated

once sugar falls to marked point, valve is closed-capture CO2

once pressure is obtained, wine chilled, filtered, bottled

released a few weeks latter, intend to be drunk young.

Question 14

ASTI- Winemaking -Asti DOCG

describe alcohol and sweetness of final product?

Answer 14

Traditionally: 6-8% ABV with around 100g/L RS

Recent Modification: 6- ? ABV enabling ranges of styles

Extra dry to Dolce in effect 12g/L and above

Brut Nature still being approved

Question 15

ASTI- Winemaking- Moscato d’Asti

Describe alcohol and sweetness of final product?

Answer 15

4.5-6.5% ABV

Sweetness of 130g/L RS (generally sweeter of the two)

not to exceed 2.5ATM pressure or Frizzante in style

Question 16

ASTI- Wine Law and Business

what business types are involved in production?

Answer 16

growers- who deliver fruit to either co-ops or large producers

Co-Op’s role in region is providing chilled, clarified, filtered juice to large companies

Large companies have the large investment equipment for final production

Question 17

ASTI- Wine Law and Business

significant cost of production is burdened by who?

Answer 17

very large produces have invested in high levels of equipment and storage spaces

Martini & Rossi is the largest producer of >60% all wine produced

smaller high quality producer in Barolo and Barbaresco send their fruit to specialist in sparking wine under their own producer’s label

Question 18

ASTI- Wine Law and Business

describe the Co-Ops in the Asti business

Answer 18

provide chilled, clarified, and filtered juice to the large co who ferm it

Martini & Rossi source 35% from 300 growers who deliver fruit to be pressed and the rest of the juice comes from ____

Question 19

ASTI- Wine Law and Business

the Italian wine governing body? and what type of sparking promoted?

Answer 19

Consorzio who is promoting:

Moscato d’Asti

Asti Secco (0ff dry style)- allows region to compete with prosecco

Asti which can be called Asti Dolce- Asti Consortium belongs to a promotional body -Piemonte Land of Perfection

Question 20

ASTI- Wine Law and Business

where it is sold?

Answer 20

Moscato d’Asti- sales in US have doubled since 2009

Asti -large majority sold in Europe

proportion of Asti (70%) to Moscato d’Ast (30%) has stay stable from 2013-2018