Consorzio per la Tutela dell’Asti: Results and Achievements

The Wine Travel Awards, an innovative global initiative in wine tourism founded by Communication Media Group Drinks+, continues its successful collaboration with the Consorzio dell’Asti DOCG. We are pleased to present the consortium’s recent activities and achievements in both domestic and international markets.

The Consorzio

Established on December 17, 1932, the Consorzio dell’Asti DOCG is one of Italy’s oldest consortiums. The Moscato Bianco grape, which produces the Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti wines, is cultivated in 51 municipalities across the provinces of Alessandria, Asti, and Cuneo. This region spans approximately 10,000 hectares and is part of the “Vineyard Landscapes of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014.

The landscapes of Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato were recognized not only for their stunning vistas—rolling hills covered with vineyards, historic villages, and medieval towers and castles—but also for the socio-economic contributions of Moscato Bianco grape growers and Asti wine producers. Some 300 hectares of these vineyards have slopes exceeding 40%, known as “Sorì” (meaning sun-exposed), where manual labor is the only option due to the steep terrain.

Today, the Consortium consists of 1,013 members, including 50 sparkling wine houses, 778 vineyard owners, 153 wineries, 17 wine-making companies, and 15 cooperative wineries. About 90% of the production is exported. The current president of the Consortium is Stefano Ricagno – a sixth-generation winegrower and graduate of the University of Turin as well as Alba’s school of oenology. He is the director of Piemontese sparkling wine producer Cuvage, which is part of the Argea portfolio. Stefano Ricagno was voted by the consorzio’s board in May this year. The director is Giacomo Pondini – he manages the Сonsortium since 2019.

Bottling Report 2023

In 2023, Asti DOCG saw production exceed 90 million bottles, a decrease of 11.8% from 2022. Of these, nearly 61 million were Asti Spumante and just under 30 million (29.3 million) were Moscato d’Asti. Despite a reduction in volume compared to the previous year, the production levels remain consistent with the ten-year average (2014-2023). Asti Spumante production increased by nearly 6% compared to the last decade’s average (57.5 million bottles), while Moscato d’Asti experienced a natural decline of 12.6% due to an oversupply following a record period from 2020 to 2022.

Export Report 2023

Asti Spumante’s export value exceeded 169 million euros in 2023, marking a slight increase (+0.4%) from 2022. According to data from the Consorzio Asti DOCG based on ISTAT figures, Eastern Europe remains the primary market, accounting for over 40% of total exports (with Russia and Latvia alone covering over a quarter of the total market). Western Europe accounts for nearly 34%, North America just under 17%, and Asia and Australia together comprise about 5%.

Palazzo Gastaldi: The House of Asti

Palazzo Gastaldi, a late 19th-century Art Nouveau building, has been the operational headquarters of the Consortium since 1965. This iconic location is symbolic of the region and the DOCG designation. The Palazzo retains an old-world charm, with historic advertisements and posters from Asti’s sparkling wine houses, a corner dedicated to Moscato d’Asti bottles, a stained glass depiction of Bacchus, and a wrought iron staircase railing symbolizing vines and grapes.

Laboratory of Analysis: A Center of Excellence in Aromatic Wine Research

The Consortium’s laboratory in Isola d’Asti is a vital resource for the region, recognized nationally for its excellence in aromatic wine research. The laboratory’s key activities include verifying the suitability of wine batches for DOCG or DOC status, conducting instrumental analyses and microbiological controls, issuing analysis certificates for the wine sector, providing certification services for export, and conducting scientific studies in collaboration with research institutions and companies.

Canelli Officially Recognized as DOCG

Canelli, the birthplace of Moscato d’Asti, was officially recognized as a DOCG on June 30, 2023, as per the European Commission regulation (2023/1327) published in the European Union Official Journal. This designation applies to grapes from 17 municipalities around the Canelli sub-zone, a transitional area between Langhe and Monferrato. The region has been producing wine since 1865, when Carlo Gancia developed the classic sparkling wine method using 100% Moscato grapes. The new Canelli DOCG, particularly the “Riserva” type, will be characterized by its aromatic, sweet flavor, slight overpressure, and low alcohol content, aged for at least 30 months before release.

Sorì Vineyards Towards Registration as Heroic Vineyards

The Consortium is working on registering the Sorì vineyards, which occupy about 300 hectares with slopes exceeding 40%, into the register of heroic vineyards, established by a ministerial decree in 2020. This recognition would provide additional support for enhancing the area’s wine tourism offerings. The Consortium is preparing a new mapping to submit an updated list to the region and initiate the national registration process.

Harvest 2023

In 2023, over 838,000 quintals of Moscato Bianco grapes were harvested, potentially producing 83 million bottles. An additional 8,000 quintals were designated for Canelli DOCG production, expected to yield approximately 785,000 bottles of 0.75l each. Despite excellent phytosanitary conditions, the harvest saw a 10.8% decrease from 2022 due to extreme weather conditions, including heatwaves, droughts, and hailstorms in July and August, which slightly affected the Piedmontese designation. A warm September improved grape quality but contributed to reduced fruit weight.

Asti DOCG and Major Sports Events

Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti continue to be the official sparkling wines and Silver Partners of the Nitto ATP Finals (Turin, November 12-19, 2023), the grand finale of the tennis year featuring the world’s top eight players. The partnership between the Consorzio Asti DOCG and the Nitto ATP Finals has been extended until 2025. Additionally, Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti are the official sparkling wines of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Rome, May 2024). The wines also supported the historical re-enactment of the Milan-Sanremo Car Rally in March 2024.