The 12 Best Asti Spumante & Spumante You Should Drink in 2023

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Asti Spumante
This is our review of the 12 Best Asti Spumante & Spumante You should drink. Enjoy!
Welcome! Have you ever found yourself staring at many Asti Spumante bottles wondering which one you would like best?
 
We spent a lot of hours researching the topic and tested hundreds of wines to come up with the below 12 best-of list for you.
 
I come from a nearby area and I know Piemonte very well, let’s say that you are going to have some local insight here.
 
We have ranked them by quality, region, and value for money and added an extensive buying guide so that you have all you need to make an informed decision.
 
You don’t have to spend several $100s to get an outstanding bottle of wine.
 
Choose one of the below bottles and you’ll find quality wines at a competitive price, for all occasions and pockets.
 
Asti Spumante Dolce, i.e. Sweet, is one of the most famous Spumante wines produced in Italy and the most exported DOCG in the world.
 
It is known for its elegant sweetness, persistent bubbles, light body, peach, pear, and honeysuckle notes.
 
There are other Spumante wines that are worth knowing, and we’ll take a brief overview of them here as well.
 
They are Prosecco DOC & DOCG, Franciacorta DOCG and Trento DOC. They are great wines and offer incredible value for money.
 
Our best value sweet sparkling bottle selection for you is Gancia Asti Sweet (Dolce).
 
If you prefer a brut, then our best sparkling brut bottle for you is Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige N.V..
 
Alternatively if you prefer a sparkling rosè go for Rosè Contadi Castaldi.
 
You’ll find the table of content below. Let’s start with the review!
4/5

Region: Italy, Asti

Tasting notes: Peach, Apple, Apricot, Honey

Gancia Asti is a sparkling wine from the Asti region in Italy.

Made from 100% Moscato Bianco grapes, this wine has become a popular choice for those who enjoy a sweet and refreshing bubbly.

Its aromas are reminiscent of ripe peaches, apricots, and honey, making it an ideal pairing for desserts or as an aperitif.

Gancia Asti’s low alcohol content, combined with its natural sweetness, make it a versatile wine that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for cocktails.

Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a delicious and easy-drinking wine, Gancia Asti is a great choice.

3.6/5

Region: Italy, Asti

Tasting notes: Peach, Apple, Apricot, Honey

Cinzano is the most famous Asti Spumante brand in Italy, and for a reason. You can’t go wrong here.

It’s nicely sweet, bubbly, and very easy to drink. 

Pair it with sponge cake or pastries and you’ll be in heaven!

4.3/5

Vivino’s tips: 92 points by Falstaff Magazine

Region: Italy, Lombardia

Tasting notes: Toast, Vanilla, Hazelnut, Cream

It is clean and delicate on the nose. This wonderful sparkler is full-bodied and toasty on the palate.

Creamy and elegant, with a touch of vanilla and hazelnut on the finish.

4.4/5

Region: Italy, Lombardia

Tasting notes: Brioche, Citrus, White Peach, Mineral

Conte Castaldi Franciacorta Brut is a sparkling wine made in the Franciacorta region of Lombardy, Italy.

This wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero grapes.

The result is a delicate and elegant wine with fine bubbles and a complex aroma of ripe fruit and toasted bread.

This wine is perfect for any celebration or special occasion and is sure to impress even the most discerning palate.

3.8/5

Region: Italy, Lombardia

Tasting notes: Ripe and Dried Fruit, Toasted Almond, Hazelnut

Fine and persistent, almost creamy effervescence. Pale yellow color that can also be deep, with greenish tones.

Nuanced but distinct fragrance of ripe fruit accompanied by delicate notes of white flowers, dried fruit and toasted almond and hazelnut.

4.3/5

Region: Italy, Lombardia

Tasting notes: Brioche, Citrus, White Flowers.

Barone Pizzini Saten Franciacorta is a delicate and elegant sparkling wine produced in the Franciacorta region of Lombardy, Italy.

Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, this wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle and is aged for a minimum of 30-40 months before release.

On the palate, Barone Pizzini Saten Franciacorta boasts a creamy texture and a fine perlage, with delicate notes of white flowers, citrus, and a hint of brioche.

The wine is well-balanced, with a lively acidity and a long, refreshing finish.

 It is a perfect choice for special occasions, celebrations, or simply as an elegant aperitif.

3.8/5

Region: Italy, Lombardia

Tasting notes: Wild Berry, Pink Grapefruit, Bread Crust

This light pink sparkler spreads throughout the mouth.

A sensation of plush volume is backed by creamy foam and delicate tones of wild berry, pink grapefruit and freshly baked

4.3/5

Region: Italy, Lombardia

Tasting notes: Raspberry, Cherry, Bread Crust, Lemon Curd.

Berlucchi ’61 Brut Rosé is a delightful sparkling wine that embodies the essence of Italy’s Franciacorta region.

The wine’s delicate pink color and fine bubbles offer a sensory experience that is as visually appealing as it is delicious.

On the nose, Berlucchi ’61 Brut Rosé reveals a fragrant bouquet of strawberries, raspberries, and wildflowers, with subtle hints of citrus.

Overall, Berlucchi ’61 Brut Rosé is a delicious and sophisticated wine that will delight any lover of sparkling wine.

3.7/5

Region: Italy, Trento

Tasting notes: Golden Apple, Citrus Fruit, Yeast, Wild Flowers.

A lively straw yellow with faint greenish highlights.

Fresh, intense, with a broad fruity note of ripe Golden delicious apples, and wild flowers, underpinned by a delicate scent of yeast.

3.8/5

Region: Italy, Trento

Tasting notes: Strawberry, Currants, Biscuits, Hawthorn Flower

It has a fine persistent perlage and a light pink color.

Wild strawberries and currants, biscuits and a fresh essence of hawthorn flowers are the most dominant notes.

3.7/5

Region: Italy, Veneto

Tasting notes: Citrus Fruit, Raspberry.

Color scarlet brushstrokes on rose petals, bouquets fine and elegant blossom, with a consistent presence of raspberry flavor.

Tickling fine perlage of minute bubbles, pleasant round warm flavor, charming fruity aroma.

The whirlwind of sensations generated by this excellent Rosé wine from the Valdo expertise, is pure delight.

3.8/5

Region: Italy, Piemonte

Tasting notes: Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry.

Marenco Brachetto d’Acqui Pineto is a refreshing and unique wine produced in the heart of Piedmont, Italy.

Marenco Brachetto d’Acqui Pineto has a vibrant ruby color with purple hues, and offers an intense bouquet of fresh red fruits such as strawberry, raspberry, and cherry.

Made from 100% Brachetto grapes, Marenco Brachetto d’Acqui Pineto is a perfect choice for those who love sweet and fruity wines, and for those who want to try something new and exciting from the Piedmont region of Italy.

Buying Guide to Asti Spumante and Spumante

It’s not just about which Asti Spumante and Spumante you should buy.

There are other important aspects like how to serve it, food pairings, and much more.

The below buying guide will give you a detailed overview on all these topics.

Asti Spumante Overview

Here you find an overview on Asti Spumante DOCG style is most commonly planted.

Grape

Muscat Blanc

ABV

6%-10.5%

Main Regions

Italy: Piemonte

Other Regions

Grape

Muscat Blanc

ABV

6%-10.5%

Main Regions

Italy: Piemonte

Other Regions

Asti Spumante Taste Profile

These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Asti Spumante DOCG style.

Color

Pale Lemon

Nose

Peach, Pear
Ananas
Honeysuckle
Jasmine

Palate

Sweet
Light Bubbles
Pear, Peach
Medium Acidity
Light Body

Color

Pale Lemon

Nose

Peach, Pear
Ananas
Honeysuckle
Jasmine

Palate

Sweet
Light Bubbles
Pear, Peach
Medium Acidity
Light Body

Asti Spumante Food Pairings

These are some food pairing suggestions for Asti Spumante DOCG. It pairs particularly well with spicy Asian food and dessert.

Appetizer

Salami, Figs, Melon

Meat

Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian dishes

Fish

Clams
Oyster

Cheese & Dessert

Medium (Cheddar)
Blue (Gorgonzola)
Fruit Tart, Sponge Cake, Panettone, Dried Fruit

Appetizer

Salami, Figs, Melon

Meat

Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian dishes

Fish

Clams
Oyster

Cheese & Dessert

Medium (Cheddar)
Blue (Gorgonzola)
Fruit Tart, Sponge Cake, Panettone, Dried Fruit

Serve and Store Asti Spumante

Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store Asti Spumante.

Decant

Nope

Glass

Flûte

Serve at

43 - 46 °F
6 - 8 °C

Store for

Up to 1 year

Decant

Nope

Glass

Flûte

Serve at

43 - 46 °F
6 - 8 °C

Store for

Up to 1 year

What are the other Spumante styles?

There are at least three other main Spumante styles you should be aware of. The recommended serving temperature is still 43-46 °F (6-8 °C).

Below we are going to take a quick look at them so that you know what to expect and what to do with them.

Prosecco
Check our best Prosecco buying guide.

Franciacorta DOCG
Franciacorta is the equivalent of Champagne in France. It’s produced in the Brescia province (Lombardy Region) with the same method as Champagne, i.e. The Traditional Method.

It offers an incredible value for money and that’s why we’ve added some wine recommendations.

Saten, i.e. Blanc de Blancs, and Rosé are variations on the theme worth trying.

Franciacorta is produced for all sweetness levels, but the most famous are Pas Dosé, i.e. no sugar, and Brut.

Expect persistent perlage, high acidity, light body, bread crumb, dried fruit, and citrus fruit notes.

It pairs well with mushroom risotto, veal, pizza margherita, shellfish, fresh cheese, and small pastries for example.

Trento DOC
Like Franciacorta, Trento is the equivalent of Champagne in France. It’s produced in the Trento province (Trentino Region) with the same method as Champagne, i.e. The Traditional Method.

Trento DOC too offers an incredible value for money and that’s why we’ve added some wine recommendations.

Trento Rosé is a variation on the theme you should try. 

You’ll generally find Trento DOC as Pas Dosé or Brut.

Expect persistent perlage, high acidity, light body, bread crumb, golden apple, peach, and stone fruit notes.

It pairs well with deli, white meat, shellfish, fried fish, and salted pastries for example.

Our Verdict

Asti Spumante Dolce, i.e. Sweet, is one of the most famous Spumante wines produced in Italy and the most exported DOCG in the world.

Along with that other Spumante wines that are worth knowing are Prosecco DOC & DOCG, Franciacorta DOCG and Trento DOC. 

If you have been through the buying guide, you should have a pretty good idea of how to navigate the Spumante world.
 
At the same time, you have probably realized by now, that there’s a big selection and, many styles.
 
The good news is that you can get very high quality usually at a good price if you know where to look!
 
That’s why proper guidance comes in handy. We hope our guide was helpful in this regard.
 
Our best value sweet sparkling bottle selection for you is Gancia Asti Sweet (Dolce).
 
If you prefer a brut, then our best sparkling brut bottle for you is Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige N.V..
 
Alternatively if you prefer a sparkling rosè go for Rosè Contadi Castaldi.
 
As always, make sure to serve your Asti Spumante and Spumante at the right temperature and with the proper glass.

What to do next?

Read our wine tasting guide to enhance your tasting experience and taste like the pro!

Alternatively, why don’t you check out our guides on Champagne, Moscato, Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay?

FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Asti Spumante.

What does Asti Spumante mean?

Spumante means sparkling and Asti is the location in Piemonte, Italy, from where this style of Spumante was invented and made famous all over the world.

What is Asti Spumante history?

Moscato Bianco or Muscat Blanc, is one of the oldest grapes in the world, probably started in Greece.
 
In Italy and in the Piemonte (Piedmont in English) region, it has been cultivated for many centuries.
 
It’s only in the late 1800s that the first sparkling wine was produced by Carlo Gancia using the Champagne Traditional Method.
 
In the mid 1900s an increasing popularity for the wine from abroad pushed the producer to opt for the Charmat Method which allowed to speed up the production process.

Where does Muscat Blanc grow best?

Muscat Blanc grows best in cooler regions on limestone and sandstone soil, which helps the grape to develop its typical flavors.

When is the perfect time to drink Asti Spumante?

Asti Spumante is a sweet sparkling wine and is a pretty common choice for the holidays season or to pair with dessert. 

There’s a dry version, Asti Spumante Secco, that is more versatile and can be used for aperitifs or throughout a meal. 

Is Asti Spumante sweet?

There are two sweetness styles Dolce, i.e. Sweet, and Secco, i.e Dry.

The sweetness level of a wine is expressed in grams of sugar per liter, aka g/L, or as a percentage.

A dry wine contains less than 15 g/L. A sweet wine contains between 50-100 g/L. 

Learn more about wine sweetness level here.

What does the acronym DOCG mean?

DOCG stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. It’s the highest classification in Italy.

Every DOCG wine is tested before bottling by a committee of licensed judges which guarantee the quality of the wine.

Other common classifications are DO, IGT, and DOC. [1]

Why is Asti Spumante popular?

Asti is the DOCG wine most exported in the world and the spumante dolce style is the most famous in the world.

How is Asti Spumante produced?

Asti Spumante is produced with the Charmat Method. That’s the same method used to produce Prosecco.

This means that unlike Champagne, Franciacorta, and Trento, it doesn’t go through a second fermentation.

What’s Asti Spumante typical price range?

Asti spumante is an affordable wine. You’ll find good bottles of Asti Spumante at around $10 – $20. 

For Franciacorta DOCG and Trento DOC you are in the $20-$30 range. Unlike Asti Spumante, these wines must spend at least 18 months in touch with the yeast which will add extra complexity to the wine.

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