Articles & Interviews

Vines and Visions: Simos Georgopoulos Explores the Legacy of Asti

Italy

Nestled within Italy’s revered wine country, Asti emerges as a canvas of viticultural mastery, its story woven with threads of tradition and innovation.

Asti

Here, Simos Georgopoulos, a distinguished Greek journalist, wine, and food critic, finds inspiration among the sun-drenched vines. The author of influential bilingual wine guides such as Only the Best (2000), A Wine Glass Full of Greece (2009), and Every Variety in Its Glass (2022), Simos also serves as a valued member of the editorial board at www.fnl-guide.com. His engagement extends further into his personal blog, simosgeorgopoulosblog.wordpress.com, where he passionately explores the realms of wine, food, coffee, and drinks. Through his blog, Simos offers candid opinions and reviews, aiming to spark conversation and enhance the tasting experience for wine enthusiasts worldwide.

simos georgopoulos

Simos Georgopoulos

Venturing into the prestigious vineyards of Asti, Simos was profoundly captivated by the region’s unique character and deep-rooted tradition. His exploration brought to life the distinct qualities that Asti embodies, resonating with pride. Recognizing the significance of this esteemed wine region, the Wine Travel Awards (WTA), an honored partner of Asti since its inaugural year, is thrilled to share Simos’s vibrant impressions. We invite you to explore the narratives that vividly illustrate Asti’s wine landscape through Simos Georgopoulos’s discerning eyes, highlighting the lasting beauty and importance of Asti in the world of wine.

A Journey Through Tradition and Excellence

As he traverses the sun-dappled vineyards, Simos is drawn deeply into the unique character and robust traditions that define Asti. “Asti is world-famous for its sparkling wines with residual sugars,” he notes, reflecting on the allure that has captivated wine lovers for generations. “A single visit is enough to understand why! Many have tried them, and none have managed to resist their allure.”

The heart of Asti’s magic, Simos explains, lies in its unparalleled mastery of the white Muscat grape, which produces wines that stand supreme in the world of wine enchantment. He delves into the distinct geography that shapes these vintages: “Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti flourish across 100,000 acres of beautiful vineyards spread across 51 communities between Milan and Turin, yet influenced climatically by both the Adriatic Sea and the Alps.”

Consorzio dell’Asti DOCG

 

Asti’s climate offers its own distinct narrative. “Do not imagine this as a warm place,” Simos advises, in contrast to the warmth of the Mediterranean. “Ascending to altitudes of 200-600 meters reveals temperatures below 20°C.” He paints a vivid picture of a landscape often veiled in dense fog (known locally as nebbia), which enhances the coolness and mystique of the region – providing a backdrop that also inspired the name of the Nebbiolo grape.

The hardworking hands that cultivate this terroir are woven into the region’s story. “The steep slopes, where two-thirds range from 30-50%, necessitate the manual labor of 3,240 vine-growers,” Simos observes, emphasizing the dedication that goes into crafting Asti’s iconic 90 million bottles a year under the guidance of the Consorzio Dell’Asti.

In his exploration of the region’s innovations, Simos highlights Asti’s approach to winemaking. “The Italians proudly mention the closed-tank method, ensuring maximum freshness of the wines – a method contrary to popular belief, invented right here by Federico Martinotti.” This closed-tank approach, together with a process that stores sugar-rich must at 0°C until fermentation is required, speaks to Asti’s commitment to quality and precision.

As Simos reveals, “The exact moment of stopping this fermentation is crucial,” shaping both the wine’s style and its designation of origin. The semi-sparkling Moscato d’Asti, with its subtle sweetness, and the more robust Asti Spumante are testaments to the artful balance achieved by Asti’s winemakers.

“A visit to a few wineries quickly dispels assumptions about uniformity,” he says, noting the diversity among the Moscato d’Asti offerings, each distinguished by its nuances, and the elegance of Asti Spumante, which “can claim the scepters of finesse and balance.”

ASTI Consorzio

His journey also includes a stop at Martini’s historic distillery, where despite wines being a small part of the company’s business, Martini’s label alone represents one-third of Asti’s Muscat production. Simos continues his exploration at Cuvage, Coppo, and Marenco in Strevi, each contributing its own layer to Asti’s intricate wine story, blending heritage with a commitment to excellence…

Through Simos’s discerning lens, Asti emerges not only as a region but as a living narrative of passion, innovation, and heritage. His portrayal, crafted with respect and admiration, offers a window into the enduring beauty and significance of Asti as told by one of the most passionate voices in the world of wine.

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Photo: fnl-guide.com, facebook.com/p/Simos-Georgopoulos