Any New Year's feast is complete without champagne. French drinks are not as common as sparkling wines from Italy. They are represented by various species. Special representatives of the sizzling drink include Asti sparkling wine.
Appearance story
White Muscat grapes have been known since antiquity, but the history of Asti champagne is not so long. Initially, it was mentioned in the XIX century. This time is the date of the appearance of wine, although it was known long before that. A sparkling drink appeared in Italy, the region of Piedmont.
In the XVIII century, Giovanni Croce created a special technology for the production of sparkling wine Asti, until that time it was fermented. He also figured out how to preserve the sugar content of champagne, and the result was a drink that was appreciated by all fans because of the unusual taste.
The wine has the aroma of flowers, honey and apples. And the bubbles complemented his taste. Thus, a drink arose that was different from other similar products of that period.
The success of the wine is astounding. Numerous companies began its release.
Champagne or sparkling wine?
How to name the drink? Sometimes the product is called champagne, but this is not accurate, and the point is not that drinks made in the province of France with the same name can be called. There are the following differences:
- By grape variety. French champagne is not made from nutmeg, and for Asti sparkling wine it fits perfectly.
- By technology. Unlike the production of champagne, the fermentation process is carried out not in bottles, but in enameled or steel tanks. Such a process in Italy is called Metodo Charmat-Martinotti. In the production of wine apply a unique technology of charm.
- By sweetness. Asti is a sweet and sparkling wine, because it is made from the Muscat grape variety . Champagne has other tastes. Indeed, for its manufacture used "pinot noir" and "chardonnay", growing on the limestone soils of the Champagne region.
- At a cost. Asti sparkling white wine is less expensive than natural French champagne. However, popularity has increased its price. This applies to such drinks as Asti Chinzano, Asti Martini and others.
Therefore, all of these features must be considered when choosing one of these drinks.
The production cycle
The process of producing sweet wine is identical for all companies that produce it. For its manufacture, grapes of the โwhite muscatโ variety are taken. It belongs to the common species that were cultivated in the era of the Romans and Greeks.
In the Middle Ages, "white muscat" was grown only by rich winemakers, because the drink had great value. Asti sparkling wine is famous for its rather sweet and aromatic taste.
To obtain the optimal harvest, grapes need to be grown at an altitude of 200-400 m above sea level. Climatic conditions are also important during the entire period of its cultivation.
The production is located in the province of Asti, as well as in Cuneo and Alexandria. The most valuable substances are in grapes before harvesting, and the maximum amount is reached in early September. At this time, cleaning begins. All operations are done manually so as not to damage the berries and preserve their special aroma.
After harvesting the grapes are turned into must. Raw materials after filtration from harmful impurities are pressed in a gentle way. The resulting wort is cooled to low temperatures to prevent the fermentation process.
The wort is brought to 20 degrees and yeast is added. When the alcohol reaches 5.5%, the drink goes into the fermentation stage. This takes place in closed autoclaves. Carbon dioxide is retained and dissolved in wine. It forms bubbles in the drink. The method is called the Martinotti method.
Fermentation of the drink is stopped by cooling, when the indicators of alcohol will be 7-9%, and sugar 3-5%. Then it is poured under completely sterile conditions.
Varieties
Today, Bacardi Martini produces the following types of alcoholic beverages:
- Asti Martini is a sparkling wine that tastes like ripe apples, peaches and oranges, combined with honey tones with a long aftertaste. The drink has an unforgettable aroma of grapes.
- Martini Brut - white sparkling wine. It has a special taste of elite grape varieties, with softness and a long elegant finish. Has a pronounced aroma of grapes.
- Martini Prosecco is a white sparkling wine named after the Prosecco grape variety. Fresh taste with notes of grapefruit, peach and green apple. The aftertaste contains spicy notes.
- Martini Rose is a sparkling semi-dry wine with a pink hue. It has a light taste due to the mixing of two grape varieties. In it you can feel the aroma of citrus, peach.
- Martini Royal Bianco is a cocktail of Martini Bianco and Prosecco. It is distinguished by its elegant taste and delicate aroma, in which there are field herbs, shaded by sweet vanilla and spices.
- Martini Bianco and Prosecco consists of several types of sparkling wine. It has a pink color with a deep taste of spicy cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. The wine has a delicate aroma of overripe raspberries with hints of lemon.
Among the diverse assortment of alcoholic beverages, each person can choose the one that meets his tastes.
Popular brands
Asti sparkling wine is produced in the market by 15 large Piedmont distilleries. They produce a huge assortment of alcoholic beverages with different names. The 10 world leaders include:
- Sparkling wine Asti Mondoro. It has many awards. Sweet flavor with aromas of pineapple, peach, pear and honey. Contains 7.5% alcohol.
- Tosti Asti. Wine company "Toasts." The taste is sweetish with the aroma of pears and wisteria.
- Martini & Rossi Asti. Champagne has a sweet taste and aroma of apples, citrus fruits and peaches.
- Sparkling wine Gancia Asti. Champagne from the "white muscat", where fruits, sage and honey are felt.
- Cinzano Asti. Unusual champagne, gaining popularity. It has a delicate taste of honey and herbs with the aroma of acacia, sage, vanilla and melon.
- Fontanafredda Asti. Amazing champagne with a long strawberry finish. It has the aroma of hawthorn, ripe fruit and rosemary.
- Riccadonna Asti. A sparkling drink with a fresh and sweet taste. Has fruity floral notes.
- Zonin Asti. Sweet sparkling wine has an unmistakable sweet aroma of "white muscat."
- Vallebelbo San Maurizio Asti. The drink has a sweet taste with a delicate aftertaste.
- Santero Asti. It has a fresh taste, aroma of apples and spices.
All these manufacturers produce Asti DOCG sparkling wine. When buying them, you should consider certain nuances. Asti champagne and Moscato d'Asti wine do not belong to the same type of drink.
Among the drinks, sparkling wine Acquesi Asti stands out for its taste and aroma. True, not all buyers are delighted with it. The taste is sweet, with the aroma of flowers and citrus.
How to drink and use?
Sparkling wine is most often drunk young, because after two years it loses its freshness. Floral notes become heavier and fruity aroma disappears.
Although Asti belongs to sweet drinks, however, it has a small amount of acid. Most often it is served with salads, spicy Asian dishes, desserts, sweet fruits. You need to drink it chilled to 6-8 degrees.
Chefs use the drink as an ingredient to prepare special dishes.
Who will like it?
Due to the availability of "Martini Asti" can be served to any celebration:
- At the wedding, it will successfully replace domestic champagne.
- The celebration of the New Year will be more pleasant if this sparkling wine is poured in glasses.
- Romantic date.
- Any home holiday.
Martini Asti can be presented to a woman on March 8 and Valentine's Day.
The difference between the original and the fake
At the present time, fakes are far from rare in the alcohol market. To purchase quality sparkling wine, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Initially, you need to pay attention to the cost of the drink, because real sparkling wine can not be cheap.
- Labels on a bottle of champagne should be smooth and of high quality, without any defects.
- It is necessary to compare the indicated volume with the excise stamp, it must match.
- The abbreviation DOCG should be located on the label itself, which guarantees product quality.
- Cork on the bottle is made of wood.
- The bottom of the bottle should be rounded. If it is smooth, then it is a fake.
It is best to buy champagne in specialized stores.
Customer reviews
Sparkling wine causes mainly positive emotions due to its unusual taste and aroma. A drink can make any celebration enjoyable and unique.
Negative reviews include the high cost of the drink.
Asti sparkling wine is a drink that can decorate any holiday. It can be served with various dishes and desserts, which favorably emphasizes their taste.