Asti strikes gold at the Global Sparkling Masters
The light, sweet sparkling wines of Asti have long captivated both casual drinkers and the wine cognoscenti, as the top performers at this year’s Global Sparkling Masters demonstrate.
Known for their sweet and captivating, fruity style, Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti’s versatility makes them an excellent and smart choice for various occasions. Crafted primarily from the Moscato Bianco grape with a lower alcohol content, Asti wines can be enjoyed in many settings – whether as an aperitif, to elevate cocktails with a splash of fizz, or to bring a touch of effervescent elegance to meals. Asti wines excel in flexibility, easily enhancing pairings with everything from fusion dishes to decadent desserts, and fresh fruit.
The rich heritage of Asti DOCG wines highlights their quality, representing a tradition refined over many decades in Northwest Italy while adapting to the preferences of modern wine lovers.
A host of producers won top medals at the Global Sparkling Masters in 2025; here, judge Patricia Stefanowicz MW selects some of her favourite Gold medallists from this year.
Cadgal Moscato d’Asti DOCG Lumine 2024
- ABV: 5%
Located in Valdivilla on north-facing slopes of light marl and blue-coloured clay, the grapes ripen to perfection slowly and were harvested by hand in early September. Pale lemon-green in colour with a narrow cordon, the wine is highly aromatic, with white peach, apricot and white pear, and a lemon zest accent. Sweet, the palate is nicely balanced by lively acidity and satin mousse texture. Tangerine and melon flavours on the palate add a little extra interest. A really good pairing for Appleby’s Cheshire cheese and fresh walnuts.
Il Falchetto Canelli Moscato DOCG Tenuta Del Fant 2024
- ABV: 5.5%
Another fine-quality Moscato from the Forno family, this example comes from grapes grown in the sub-zone of Canelli-in-Asti. The wine is very pale lime-green in colour with creamy froth around the rim. Peaches and cream are the hallmarks of this wine, sweet in style, with a light body, low alcohol and lovely fruit expression framed by
fresh acidity. A delicious, artisanal wine, worthy of contemplation, that will work beautifully with Philadelphia cheesecake.
Capetta Asti Dolce DOCG NV
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- ABV: 7%
This delicious, pristine Asti comes from grapes carefully cultivated in the sorì (crus) near Monferrato, where some of the best Moscato grapes are grown. Very pale lime-green in hue, with small bubbles and a defined cordon, the wine is packed with orchard fruits, accented by lemon blossom and tangerine zest. Sweet but by no means cloying, the palate is light-bodied and framed by good freshness and creamy mousse texture. This is a great match for strawberries sprinkled with icing sugar.
Cascina Carlot Moscato d’Asti DOCG Fiori Di Campo 2024
- ABV: 5.5%
Carlos Marchisio, known as Carlòt, owned a farm with a few hectares in Coazzolo, Asti. With no heirs, Carlò̀t sold his land and house to Mario Mo. Today, Claudio Mo (Mario Mo’s grandson) manages the land and the winery. This Moscato d’Asti is a gem. Very pale yellow-hued with small bubbles and a defined cordon, the wine displays white cherry, peach and yellow plums with just a touch of fresh baguette. Sweet and creamy-textured, the light-bodied palate has lively acidity and accents of lemon blossom and orange zest, as well as good flavour definition and length. An exceptional choice for a light brunch, or just a sip at summer garden parties.
Cocchi Asti DOCG NV
- ABV: 7%
With more than 100 years of experience, Giulio Cocchi continues to produce sparkling wines from Moscato Bianco grapes grown in the rolling hills surrounding the city of Asti. Pale gold-coloured, this wine has small bubbles and a mid-width cordon. Intensely perfumed, with crushed yellow roses accenting delicate but concentrated orchard fruits. Sweet, but not cloying, the linear palate is framed by racy acidity and a velvet-textured mousse. Sappy and savoury on the finish, and well-balanced, the wine will work especially well with rhubarb crumble.
Caudrina Moscato d’Asti DOCG La Caudrina 2024
- ABV: 5.5%
At Azienda Agricola Caudrina, Romano Dogliotti stays true to old traditions with Moscato Bianco, but incorporates modern methods to preserve and enhance the freshness of lively wines. La Caudrina is a lovely wine, showing a pale lime-green hue and a mid-width cordon, with white peach and exuberant green-grape fruit, and a hint of chalkiness. Sweet, the light-bodied palate has crisp acidity and frothy mousse texture to support the fruit. Lemon and orange zest notes add interest. Excellent as an easy-drinking summer wine and will work well with Eton mess.
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