Piemonte / Monferrato Astigiano Appellations / Asti DOCG Flashcards

1
Q

How many categories does Asti DOCG include?

A

2 categories: Asti DOCG (sparkling) and Moscato d’Asti DOCG (lightly fizzy)

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2
Q

Which category of Asti DOCG makes up the majority of production?

A

Asti DOCG (sparkling)

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3
Q

Is Moscato d’Asti DOCG produced in large or small quantities?

A

small quantities

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4
Q

What is the average annual production of Asti DOCG?

A

80 million bottles

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5
Q

Which is Piemonte’s large appellation in volume?

A

Asti DOCG

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6
Q

Where is the zone of production for Asti DOCG?

A

south and SE of Asti on right bank of Tanaro river

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7
Q

Which provinces does Asti DOCG cover?

A

more than 50 villages within Asti, Cuneo and Alessandria

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8
Q

How many ha under vine does Asti DOCG have?

A

10,000ha

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9
Q

Which provinces account for the majority of Asti DOCG production?

A

Cuneo and Asti = 80% of production

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10
Q

Which town is the major center of production for Asti DOCG?

A

Canelli

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11
Q

Does Asti DOCG overlap with Barolo and Barbaresco?

A

Yes; overlaps most of Barbaresco and includes a strip of land around Serralunga d’Alba in Barolo

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12
Q

Which soils are in Asti DOCG?

A

terre bianche

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13
Q

How are the vines usually trained in Asti DOCG?

A

Guyot

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14
Q

Why is manual harvest the only option in Asti DOCG?

A

slopes have 30-50% gradient

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15
Q

Where are Asti DOCG vineyards planted?

A

must be planted on hillsides; up to 500m

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16
Q

Who created Asti DOCG sparkling?

A

Carlo Gancia in 1870

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17
Q

Where did Carlo Gancia learn how to make sparkling wine?

A

learned Champagne production techniques in Reims

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18
Q

Where did Carlo Gancia establish his winery?

A

Canelli

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19
Q

What was the profile of the ‘prototype Asti’ made by Carlo Gancia?

A

sweet and low alcohol

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20
Q

What variety did Carlo Gancia use to make his first sparkling?

A

Moscato Bianco

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21
Q

What was the name of Carlo Gancia’s first sparkling wine?

A

Moscato Champagne

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22
Q

How technology led to the popularity of Asti sparkling wines?

A

tank method (Martinotti method in Italy)

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23
Q

Why is the tank method preferred for the production of Asti sparkling wines?

A
  • less labor intensive and less expensive

- preserves aromas of Moscato grape better

24
Q

What was the original name of Asti sparkling wine?

A

Asti Spumante

25
Q

When did Asti Spumante become globally popular?

A

from 1970s

26
Q

When was the production of sweet sparkling wines from Moscato Bianco first sanctioned by Italian government?

A

1930s

27
Q

What is the Asti Method

A

variation of tank method

  • does not need a still, dry base wine as in tank or traditional methods
  • wines made by single fermentation that is stopped and restarted at certain points
28
Q

What is the finished version of sparkling wines made with the Asti Method?

A
  • 7-9.5% abv, 5-6atm, required residual sugar
29
Q

What is the profile of Asti DOCG sparkling?

A
  • pale lemon with dense mousse
  • floral (rose, orange blossom, wisteria)
  • stone fruit, grape with honey, spice and musk
  • sweet, medium acidity and low alcohol (7%abv)
30
Q

What is Asti DOCG sparkling sealed with?

A

mushroom cork

31
Q

When should Asti DOCG sparkling be consumed?

A

young and within a year of release

32
Q

Is a vintage year required on Asti DOCG sparkling?

A

no

33
Q

What are Asti DOCG sparkling wines inappropriate for ageing?

A
  • Moscato grape has geraniol (aromatic compound)

- with age, geraniol becomes sharp and upsets balance of wine

34
Q

Can Asti DOCG be made using the traditional method?

A

Yes; only a tiny amount

35
Q

How long is lees ageing for Asti DOCG sparkling using the traditional method?

A

minimum 9 months on lees

36
Q

Since 2017, which other styles can Asti DOCG sparkling be made in (instead of only sweet)?

A

drier style (up to extra dry)

37
Q

What is the drier Asti DOCG sparkling labeled as?

A

Asti Secco

38
Q

Who produces the majority of Asti DOCG sparkling?

A

large producers and cooperatives; purchase grapes from thousands of growers

39
Q

How is Moscato d’Asti DOCG produced?

A
  • from best and ripest grapes
  • through single fermentation that is stopped by chilling must when it reaches 5-5.5% abv
  • small amount of CO2 retained; makes wine slightly fizzy
40
Q

How is Moscato d’Asti DOCG bottled?

A

normal cork

41
Q

Does Moscato d’Asti DOCG need to be vintage-dated?

A

yes

42
Q

What style is Moscato d’Asti DOCG?

A

sweet

43
Q

How does Moscato d’Asti differ from Asti sparkling?

A

more pronounced aromas, more finesse, lower alcohol and less sparkle

44
Q

What is the sparkling difference between Moscato d’Asti and Asti sparkling?

A

Moscato d’Asti = gently fizzy (maximum 2.5 atm)

Asti sparkling = fully sparkling

45
Q

What is the profile of Moscato d’Asti DOCG?

A
  • orange blossom, wisteria, sage
  • peach, apricot, grape
  • sweet, frothy, low alcohol
46
Q

What is Moscato d’Asti best paired with?

A

fresh fruit

47
Q

Who produces the majority of Moscato d’Asti?

A

small-scale artisanal producers

48
Q

How many sub-zones does Moscato d’Asti DOCG have?

A

3

49
Q

What are the 3 sub-zones in Moscato d’Asti DOCG?

A

Canelli, Santa Vittoria d’Alba, Strevi

50
Q

Which is the largest Moscato d’Asti DOCG sub zone?

A

Canelli

51
Q

What areas does the Canelli sub zone cover in the Moscato d’Asti DOCG?

A
  • located between Alba and Canelli

- includes Serralunga d’Alba in Barolo and part of Barbaresco (Neive and Treiso)

52
Q

What is the smallest Moscato d’Asti DOCG sub zone?

A

Santa Vittoria d’Alba

53
Q

What area does the Santa Vittoria d’Alba sub zone cover in Moscato d’Asti DOCG?

A

located within the Vittoria d’Alba commune

54
Q

Where is the Strevi sub zone located in Moscato d’Asti DOCG?

A

surrounds Strevi and Acqui Terre communes

55
Q

What other Moscato d’Asti DOCG version is there (besides the gently fizzy one)?

A

vendemmia tardiva (late harvest)

56
Q

What type of grapes are used for Moscato d’Asti Vendemmia Tardiva DOCG wines?

A

late harvested grapes that are partially dried