Asti Wine & Food: Sparkling Wine Capital of Piedmont

In the heart of southern Piedmont, where gentle hills are dressed in vineyards that change color with the seasons, stands Asti, a city that has transformed its wine and food heritage into an art form. Known worldwide as the home of Asti DOCG and the precious Moscato d'Asti, this Piedmont gem is much more than a simple tourist destination: it's a true temple of taste where tradition and innovation merge in perfect harmony.

Strolling through the historic center streets, among medieval palaces and towers that tell centuries of history, you breathe a unique atmosphere where wine aromas blend with the scents of Piedmont cuisine. This is where some of Italy's most celebrated food and wine products are born, in a generous land that knows how to offer authentic emotions with every taste.

Asti's strategic position, between Langhe and Monferrato, two UNESCO World Heritage sites, makes it the ideal starting point to explore one of the world's most prestigious wine regions, where every village preserves culinary secrets passed down through generations.

Asti DOCG: The Sweet Gold of Piedmont Hills

Asti Spumante DOCG represents the absolute excellence of Asti's wine production. This extraordinary sweet sparkling wine, made exclusively from Moscato Bianco grapes, is the result of a centuries-old tradition rooted in the territory and the expertise of local winemakers.

The Asti Method: A Unique Tradition

The Asti Method is a completely natural sparkling wine technique that preserves the primary aromas of Moscato intact. Unlike other sparkling wines, Asti DOCG maintains natural sweetness and moderate alcohol content, making it perfect for accompanying refined desserts or enjoying as an aperitif.

• Alcohol content: 7-9.5%
• Pressure: minimum 3.5 atmospheres
• Color: straw yellow with golden reflections
• Aroma: intense and characteristic of moscato
• Taste: sweet, fresh and aromatic

Best Wineries to Visit

The Asti territory hosts numerous historic wineries where you can experience unforgettable tastings. From large maisons to small family businesses, each reality offers the opportunity to discover production secrets and taste different expressions of Moscato.

"True Asti is born from the passion of winemakers who know how to transform every grape cluster into a small liquid work of art"

Moscato d'Asti: Sweetness and Elegance in a Glass

Alongside the famous sparkling wine, Moscato d'Asti DOCG represents another excellence of the territory. This sweet wine, characterized by light natural effervescence, is considered one of Italy's most elegant dessert wines.

With its moderate alcohol content (4.5-6.5%) and unmistakable bouquet of acacia flowers, peach and honey, Moscato d'Asti is perfect for concluding a meal or accompanying traditional Piedmont pastries.

Perfect Food Pairings

• Piedmont sweets: baci di dama, Saronno amaretti, nougat
• Blue cheeses: Gorgonzola DOP, roquefort
• Fruit: peaches, strawberries, berries
• Spoon desserts: panna cotta, tiramisu, zabaglione

Piedmont Cuisine: A Heritage of Authentic Flavors

Asti's culinary tradition is rooted in Piedmont's peasant culture, where simple but excellent quality ingredients are transformed into unforgettable dishes. Local cuisine celebrates territorial products: from Alba white truffle to DOP cheeses, from premium meats to porcini mushrooms.

Typical Dishes Not to Miss

Tajarin al tartufo probably represents the most iconic dish of Asti cuisine. These ultra-thin egg noodles, often prepared with 40 egg yolks per kilogram of flour, are seasoned with precious white truffle during autumn season.

• Agnolotti del plin: small meat-filled ravioli
• Bagna cauda: hot sauce with anchovies and garlic
• Brasato al Barolo: meat cooked in red wine
• Vitello tonnato: cold veal with tuna sauce
• Fritto misto piemontese: mixed fried meats and vegetables

Michelin-Starred Restaurants and Traditional Taverns

Asti boasts a rich gastronomic scene ranging from starred restaurants to family taverns. Innovative chefs reinterpret traditional classics, while historic trattorias keep old recipes alive, creating perfect balance between past and present.

Wine and Food Events and Festivals

Asti's calendar is rich with events dedicated to wine and gastronomy, special moments when the city transforms into a great stage of taste.

Douja d'Or

Every September, Asti hosts Douja d'Or, Piedmont's most important wine competition. During this event, the region's best wines are tasted by expert sommeliers, while the historic center comes alive with tasting stands and side events.

Village Festival

Village festivals represent a unique opportunity to discover specialties from individual municipalities in the Asti territory. From Cortemilia's Hazelnut Festival to Alba's Truffle Festival, each event celebrates a typical product with tastings, cooking shows and markets.

Food and Wine Shopping: Where to Buy Local Excellence

To bring home a piece of Piedmont, Asti offers numerous food and wine shopping opportunities. From specialized wine shops to neighborhood markets, you can find highest quality products selected directly from producers.

Markets and Historic Shops

The Saturday Market in Piazza Alfieri is an unmissable appointment for those wanting to discover fresh territorial products. Here you'll find aged cheeses, artisanal cured meats, local honeys and homemade preserves prepared according to ancient recipes.

• Regional Wine Shop: selection of best Piedmont wines
• Truffle Shop: truffle-based products
• Social Dairy: territorial DOP cheeses
• Historic Pastry Shops: traditional Piedmont sweets

Taste Itineraries Around Asti

Asti's surroundings offer countless opportunities to deepen knowledge of Piedmont food and wine. The Wine Roads lead through breathtaking landscapes to discover wineries, farms and restaurants representing territorial excellence.

The Moscato Road

A route entirely dedicated to the territory's symbolic grape variety, touching municipalities most suited to Moscato d'Asti production, offering spectacular views and unforgettable tastings.

Asti confirms itself as an essential destination for food and wine lovers, a place where every sip and every bite tells a story of passion, tradition and uncompromising quality. Come discover Piedmont's authentic flavors in the city that has made sparkling wine an art and the table a moment of sharing and joy.