Italy is the world’s leading producer of sparkling wines. If you love Prosecco you'll be glad to discover that there are more Italian sparkling wines that are well worth trying. Three of these are Asti, Franciacorta and Lambrusco. Let's take a look at them!
Asti is a sweet sparkling white wine made in Piedmont in Northwestern Italy, particularly around the town of the same name, Asti. Made from 100% moscato grapes, it is relatively low in alcohol (7%-9%) and sweet. It's made using the Charmat method in pressurized tanks. The best known Asti is Asti Spumante, a reference to its characteristic foaming mousse. "Spumante" means foaming in Italian. Modern Astis are exquisitely fragrant and fruity, with notes of ripe peaches, apricots and a typical muskiness. Serve it chilled in Champagne
glasses during dessert, with pastries or fruit flans.
Moscato D’Asti is a delicately fruity, sweet style of Asti, considered frizzante(fizzy) rather
than spumante. See how you're picking up some wine lingo? You already know two Italian wine terms that you can impress your friends with. It is lower in alcohol, under 5.5% and made under less pressure than Asti. It typically shows citrus and floral notes along with flavours of peach, pear and apricot. It is served chilled, in regular wine glasses and pairs beautifully with dessert or dark chocolate.
Shown: Rinaldi Moscato D'Asti
LCBO# 13988 $19.95
Franciacorta is an elegant dry sparkling white wine made in Lombardy, near Lake Garda and the Veneto. It is made using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, although Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco are also allowed. Like Champagne, the sparkling wines of Franciacorta are made using the metodo tradizionale. You guessed correctly; that means traditional method, with a second fermentation in the bottle. They show flavours of white tree fruit, brioche and marzipan and exhibit a persistent creamy mousse. Franciacorta is an ideal wine for raw seafood, oysters or dessert. It makes a great gift wine or to serve at holiday celebrations.
Shown: Ca'del Bosco Extra Brut Franciacorta
LCBO# 105353 $44.95
Lambrusco is a fruity red wine made in
the “frizzante”(fizzy) style in the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy in northern Italy. Lambrusco is made using the Charmat method, in pressurized tanks, resulting in larger bubbles than sparkling wines produced in the traditional method. It is made from the grape varietal of the same name and shows flavours of red berries and hibiscus, with wild strawberry and rhubarb flavours more pronounced in cool vintages, while sweet cherry and blackberry flavours dominate in warm vintages. Made in three sweetness levels, dry, off-dry and sweet, it is best served cold and often accompanies hearty sausages and pastas with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Shown: Medici Ermete & Figli Concerto Reggiano Lambrusco
LCBO# 208967 $19.95
Italian sparkling wines are crafted with all the painstaking care and passion that result in a
great wine product. Have fun exploring them.
Cheers!
Jane Staples, Accredited Sommelier & Wine Writer
2020