Asti

🇮🇹 Italy

DOCG

Sweet sparkling Moscato paradise - first Italian DOCG 1994, low alcohol 5.5-7.5%

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Region profile

History

Sparkling wines produced since Middle Ages. 17th century Giovanni Battista Croce (court jeweller to Dukes of Savoy) improved cultivation and cellar techniques. First Italian sparkling wines to receive DOCG classification 1994 (Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti). Became Italy's largest producing appellation by 2004. Charmat method (single tank fermentation) unlike Champagne secondary bottle fermentation.

Climate
Continental southeastern Piedmont; Moscato Bianco thrives in hilly terrain around Asti and Alba; moderate temperatures
Signature wines
Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante and Cinzano Asti - global benchmark sweet sparkling Moscato; Ceretto and Fontanafredda premium expressions
What sets it apart
First Italian sparkling DOCG 1994; lowest alcohol wines (5.5-7.5%); Charmat method single tank fermentation; Middle Ages heritage; Giovanni Battista Croce 17th century court jeweller; 8,236 hectares largest DOCG

Facts

  • 8,236 hectares vineyards
  • 52 communes (28 Asti, 9 Alessandria, 15 Cuneo)
  • first Italian sparkling DOCG 1994
  • Italy's largest producing DOCG appellation 2004
  • Middle Ages origins

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026