Guide to Wine From Asti

Asti is Piedmont’s fizzy side hustle; the region where Moscato Bianco turns into wines so easy to drink they practically refill your glass for you. While Barolo gets all the headlines for being powerful and age-worthy, Asti shows off the lighter, sparkling, and more approachable side of Piedmont. Rolling hills, historic villages, and vineyards that hug the contours of the land create the perfect backdrop for Italy’s most iconic sweet and sparkling wines.

Meet Moscato Bianco (aka Muscat Blanc)

The grape behind it all is Muscat Blanc, one of Italy’s oldest grape varieties. Its signature traits (intense aromas of peach, orange blossom, and honeysuckle) make it a natural candidate for sparkling wine. Muscat Blanc’s thin skin and high acidity are perfect for fermentation techniques that retain freshness and preserve aromatic intensity. Understanding Moscato also means learning how sugar and acidity balance interact: the grape naturally produces high sugar levels, which winemakers transform into delicate, lively wines rather than cloying sweetness.

Two Styles, One Grape

Asti’s magic comes in two main expressions:

Moscato d’Asti: lightly sparkling and low in alcohol (around 5–6%), it’s a gently fizzy, aromatic wine that’s perfect for casual sipping or pairing with fresh fruit and pastries. Its restrained bubbles mean you can enjoy it throughout the day without feeling overwhelmed.

Asti Spumante: fully sparkling with higher carbonation and pressure, this style amps up the festive factor, making it ideal for celebrations, toasts, or any moment that deserves a glass of joy.

Both styles are crafted using the Asti Method, a variation of tank fermentation that locks in fruitiness and aromatic intensity while keeping the wine lively. Unlike traditional Champagne, this method is about preserving freshness and making sparkling wine approachable for everyday enjoyment. Understanding this process helps explain why Asti wines are sweet yet crisp, aromatic, and so drinkable.

Centuries of Bubbles

Asti’s history with sparkling wine goes back hundreds of years. Locals were capturing Moscato’s natural fizz as early as the 1500s, making it one of the world’s first sparkling wine regions. The region perfected low-alcohol, aromatic sparkling wines long before Prosecco — or any other globally famous bubbly — claimed the spotlight.

That historical context gives every sip a sense of place: centuries of experimentation, refinement, and careful vineyard work that continue to influence modern winemaking in Asti. Explore our Piedmont guide to see how Asti fits into the region’s wine story.

Why Asti Belongs in Your Fridge

Asti wines are designed to bring joy, and their approachability makes them perfect for casual sipping, festive occasions, and culinary adventures alike. Watching the bubbles dance in a glass of Moscato d’Asti is a reminder that wine can be fun, educational, and delicious all at once.

Watch the video and dive into Wine Folly’s Asti Region Guide to explore Piedmont’s most playful wines, learn more about Moscato Bianco, and get insider tips on tasting, pairing, and appreciating bubbles like a pro.