ITALY - Asti

Question 1

What is Asti and Moscato d’Asti DOCGs?

Answer 1

Sparkling white wines , highly aromatic, low alcohol grown in PIEMONTE region

Question 2

In which 3 areas within Piemonte may Asti DOCG and Moscato DOCG be made?

Answer 2

Cuneo, Asti and Alexandria

Question 3

Detail the style of wine made in these DOCGs
ie. intensity
flavors, acid, alcohol and dryness

Answer 3

pronounced aromas flavours of orange blossom, grapes and peach, medium acidity, low alcohol and sweet

Question 4

What is the difference in styles between Asti DOCG and Moscato DOCG?

Answer 4

• Asti is fully sparkling (MDOCG is semi sparkling)
• Asti has higher alcohol than MDOCG
• Asti has lower RS

Question 5

What is the climate like in the Asti DOCG area?

Answer 5

Moderate Continental (cold winters and hot dry summers)

Question 6

Where are the vines located by law and why?

Answer 6

Hillsides. For better sunlight interception and better drainage

Question 7

What are the main soils for moscato vines?

Answer 7

limestone (the most aromatic grapes) but also planted on clay

Question 8

What is the maximum yield at press for tank method wines?

Answer 8

75hl/ha

Question 9

What are the characteristics of the Moscato Bianco grape?

Answer 9

Aromatic,
Early Budding,
Mid-Ripening

Question 10

What are the HAZARDS of moscato bianco?

Answer 10

Powdery Mildew
Botrytis Bunch Rot
Prone to insects feeding on fruit (bees, wasps, flying ants and mites attracted to floral scent)

Question 11

What does clonal selection seek to enhance in the vine?

Answer 11

Disease Resistance
Perfume
Yield

Question 12

What training system is used with moscato bianco?

Answer 12

Guyot with vertical shoot positioning

Question 13

What are the advantages of VSP?

Answer 13

• Coupled with low fertility soil and moderate rainfall, it decreases chance of overcropping
• good sunlight exposure
• lower humidity

Question 14

When does the harvest take place for moscato bianco?

Answer 14

Early to mid September (before Oct. rains)

Question 15

Asti DOCG grapes are picked early or late and why?

Answer 15

Early to maintain acidity

Question 16

Moscato DOCG grapes are picked early or late and why?

Answer 16

Picked late to gain greater aromatics

Question 17

Are all grapes hand harvested?

Answer 17

No. Steeper slopes are hand harvested and where whole bunch pressing is required

Question 18

Grapes are pressed ASAP, why?

Answer 18

To avoid oxidation

Question 19

Grapes are pressed, then must is ——– and then filtered before being ——- at —deg C

Answer 19

CLARIFIED
CHILLED
2-3 deg C

Question 20

Pressing, chilling and filtering is which Phase?

Answer 20

Phase One

Question 21

What happens after phase one?

Answer 21

Juice is either left to chill (up to 2 years without aroma loss) OR is warmed up or placed into a stainless steel tank for single fermentation (Phase Two)

Question 22

What are the major sources of cost in Asti and Moscato D’Asti production?

Answer 22

The large tanks, centrifuges, heat exchangers, flotation tanks care a large capital investment and carry high energy costs

Question 23

In Phase Two, in what vessel and what temperature does the fermentation take place?

Answer 23

Temperature Controlled Pressure Resistant Stainless Steel vessel at
16-18 deg C

Question 24

Is tirage or dosage added?

Answer 24

No, the sugar is from the grape must. Ferment stopped early to maintain sugar and light bubbles

Question 25

What is the role of the valve in the fermentation ?

Answer 25

It is open and allows CO2 produced to escape, then closed with the desired pressure and sugar level is reached

Question 26

What happens at the end of fermentation

Answer 26

wine is chilled to stop fermentation and filtered to remove yeast

Question 27

What is the alcohol and RS level in ADOCG?

Answer 27

6-8% abv traditionally but recently allow higher alcohol levels (and therefore drier styles) 100g/L

Question 28

What is the abv and RS of MDOCG?

Answer 28

4.5-6.5% abv and RS of 130g/L

Question 29

What is Moscato d'Asti DOCG pressure in the bottle?

Answer 29

2.5 atmospheres

Question 30

Asti Metodo Classico from Asti DOCG must have how much lees ageing and how much RS?

Answer 30

Minimum 9 months lees ageing and no less than 50g/L of RS

Question 31

What is the importance of the cooperative in Asti? | What do they provide?

Answer 31

Very important. They provide chilled, clarified juice to large companies

Question 32

What are the three types of Asti wine?

Answer 32

``` Asti Dolce (traditional) Asti Secco (off dry) Moscato d'Asti ```

Question 33

What is the Piemonte And of Perfection group?

Answer 33

Promotional Body that reps Barolo, Barbaresco, Gavi and Asti regions

Question 34

The proportion of Moscato to Asti is what %?

Answer 34

30% to 70%

Question 35

What has the increase in Moscato in the USA since 2009 done to production for export?

Answer 35

It has caused it to double