Asti Spumanti is a sweet sparkling white wine made with Muscat grapes. It is frequently now referred to as simply Asti, as producers attempt to distance themselves from low-quality Asti Spumante exported from Italy in the 1980s.
The wine is produced in south-eastern Piedmont, where it has a DOCG-protected denomination. It should not be confused with Moscato d'Asti, which is sweeter, lower alcohol, and less effervescent.
Name origins
Asti Spumante is originally from Asti, Italy, and spumante is Italian for "effervescent" or "sparkling.""
How to serve
Asti spumante is sweet and low and alcohol, which makes it a good choice for an aperitif or a dessert wine.