Sparkling Wine Culture of Piedmont
A sparkling wine of Piedmont has long been a symbol of sophistication. Piedmont’s winemakers take care of every detailed aspect of its production. And without exaggeration, we can say that every pearly bubble of Piedmont’s sparkling wine in your glass is a sign of the highest quality. This season the list of Wine Travel Awards nominees includes wineries from one of the most beautiful regions of Italy, whose vineyards spread across the hills and valleys, giving the region a special charm. You can vote for nominees until March 31 inclusive. However you can enjoy excellent sparkling wine whenever you have the mood.
Tosti 1820
1820 is not just a number, it is a long family history with the seventh and eighth generations being now at the helm of the company.
For over 200 years, this family-run winery has been producing still and sparkling wines, perfecting the art with each vintage.
Tosti1820 values and tradition are unique, like its bottle, the only one in the world with the “belly button”, a patent registered and protected internationally.
The company produces:
- Sweet Bubbles: Asti DOCG, Brachetto D’Acqui DOCG, Butterfly Demi-sec, Moscato Spumante, Pink Moscato
- Dry Bubbles: Acqui Rosé Brut, Asti Secco DOCG, Prosecco DOC Extra dry, Prosecco DOC Rosé Brut Millesimato
- Special Edition: 24 Pure Brut, Asti DOCG Notte di Bollicine, Brut Notte di Bollicine, Prosecco DOC Notte di Bollicine.
- Sweet Wines: Filtrato Dolce 3%, Moscato D’Asti DOCG, Red Amore.
- Organic Wines: Asti Secco DOCG Organic Le Lucciole, Moscato d’Asti DOCG Organic Le Lucciole
- Vermouth di Torino: Vermouth di Torino Bianco Mixology Edition, Vermouth di Torino Rosso Mixology Edition, Vermouth di Torino Superiore Riserva Taurinorum.
Canelli and the Underground Cathedrals
This lively area in the province of Asti, home of the first Italian classic method of sparkling wine, is placed on a network of tunnels and galleries. They were dug underground for many kilometres between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The Underground Cathedrals, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, are a real architectural masterpiece of Canelli.
Contratto, Coppo, Gancia and Bosca are the wineries open to visitors today.
There, under the surface, there are historic cellars with numerous bottles of classic method sparkling wine, ageing at a constant temperature between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius.
Casa Martini – Martini & Rossi
More than a hundred and fifty years ago, two men – an entrepreneur and a herbalist – Alessandro Martini and Luigi Rossi, took charge of the National Wine & Spirits Distillery in a small village near Turin. Their duet gave the world the incomparable drink MARTINI Rosso, a vermouth that for many years has been an integral part of noisy parties, quiet winter evenings and exciting sea cruises.
The company produces aromatic vermouths: Martini Rosso, Martini Extra Dry, Martini Bianco, Martini Rosato, Martini Fiero; Martini Non-Alcoholic line; Martini Riserva Speciale line; Martini Sparkling Wine line: Martini Asti, Martini Prosecco, Martini Brut, Martini Rose Demi-Sec, Martini Rose Extra Dry, Martini Riesling and Collezione Speciale line: Martini Collezione Speciale Asti, Martini Collezione Speciale Prosecco.
Each bottle is a unique blend of aromatic grapes or herbs, filled with berry aromas, sage, thyme and notes of wood.
On March 21, Casa Martini celebrated Vermouth Day, raising a glass of wine, which has become a real myth and was included in the mixes of the legendary James Bond and the great Marilyn Monroe.
Cantina Vallebelbo
This is one of the most important agricultural cooperatives of Piedmont. It collects and vinifies the grapes produced by 150 wine growers, on around 600 hectares of precious vineyards in the heart of the Langhe, on the hills of Santo Stefano Belbo.
Cantina Vallebelbo is located just a few meters from the unique landmark, which attracts tourists from all over the world – Canelli’s Underground Cathedrals.
Wine lovers can enjoy the wines from Line San Maurizio, Linea Andar per vigne, Linea Viticoltori Vallebelbo and Line Cesare Pavese: Moscato d’Asti, Barbaresco, Alta Langa, Barbera d’Asti Superiore, Barolo, Dolcetto d’Alba – paying tribute to the history of the region. These wines are dedicated to Cesare Pavese: a poet, writer, translator, publisher and literary critic, he is considered to be one of the most influential Italian intellectuals of the 20th century. Cesare Pavese gave the world a huge literary heritage. He received Strega Prize, the most prestigious literary award of that time. Unfortunately his life was short…
Casa di CESARE PAVESE is also a nominee of Wine Travel Awards. You can vote for Pavese Museum here.
This year, for Valentine’s Day, Cantina Vallebelbo offered to choose Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG SanMaurizio as an addition to a romantic party. With an intense ruby red color and a delicate aroma reminiscent of shades of red fruit and rose, Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG stands out for its sweetness and elegance.
Piemont and Consorzio Asti DOCG
In 1865 Carlo Gancia visited Champagne and learned the techniques of making sparkling wines. He returned to Canelli and applied the “Classic Method” to the vinification of white Moscato, an aromatic grape typical of the area. Thus the first Italian sparkling wine was born, predecessor of the current Asti Spumante.
Today nearly 9 900 hectares of majestic vineyards are nestled in the cradle of a unique landscape that never fails to stir the soul.
This are the lands where vines of Moscato Bianco, which are destined to develop into Asti Spumante, from Brut Nature to Dolce, and to Moscato d’Asti.
The aromatic spumante par excellence made Moscato a household name worldwide. Asti Spumante has DOCG status awarded in 1993. This sparkling wine has, like the grapes it is made from, a fresh aroma, rich with floral fragrances and notes of ripe fruit.
Moscato d’Asti DOCG is Italy’s most famous Moscato, one of the most characteristic products of Piedmontese winemaking. Its incomparable aroma, balance and natural sweetness, together with a limited alcohol content, make it one of a kind.
