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<strong>ITA</strong>LY<br />
– DISCOVERY –<br />
characteristic is an intense musky aroma imparted by<br />
the grapes from which it is made, a delicate flavour<br />
reminiscent of wisteria and lime, peach and apricot<br />
with hints of sage, lemon and orange blossom, a sugary<br />
component and low alcohol content. It is important to<br />
reiterate that Moscato d’Asti Docg is not a sparkling wine,<br />
as it undergoes minimum re-fermentation in autoclaves,<br />
which is stopped when an alcohol content of about 5%<br />
vol is reached.<br />
Both these wines represent, albeit in different ways,<br />
the brightness and aromatics of a varietal that is often<br />
underestimated but which boasts the complexity (terpene<br />
precursors have a truly unique capacity to develop) and<br />
the versatility typical of excellent grapes.<br />
BROAD GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION<br />
For almost 100 years, the Consorzio per la tutela<br />
dell’Asti Docg [Consortium for the Protection of Asti<br />
Docg] has been protecting and raising the profile of<br />
these denominations. It was officially established on<br />
December 17, 1932, and initially recognized in 1934<br />
with the name of “Consorzio per la Difesa dei Vini Tipici<br />
Moscato d’Asti Spumante e Asti Spumante” [Consortium<br />
for the Protection of the Typical Wines Moscato d’Asti<br />
Spumante and Asti Spumante].<br />
Moscato Bianco grapes have wide geographical<br />
distribution. They are grown over approximately<br />
10,000 hectares divided between 51 localities in<br />
the provinces of Alessandria, Asti and Cuneo. Over<br />
1,400 hectares have an incline of more than 40% and,<br />
out of these, 330 hectares have a gradient higher than<br />
50%: these vineyards have historically been nicknamed<br />
‘SORÌ’, where due to the steep slopes, it is impossible to<br />
use mechanical devices, and work can only be done by<br />
hand. The Asti hills were the first wine hills to be listed<br />
as UNESCO World Heritage.<br />
1,013 companies belong to the consortium, divided<br />
between 50 sparkling wine producers, 778 vine growers,<br />
153 wineries, 17 winemakers and 15 co-operative<br />
The Asti Spumante Docg by the Abbazia di San Gaudenzio<br />
winery is a typical sparkling wine from Piedmont, ideal for<br />
desserts, fruit and pastries<br />
SPRING 2021 GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE 85
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