Contero, Moscato d'Asti di Strevi

Country: Italy Region: Asti

Varietal: Moscato Bianco Vintage: 2019 

Colour: White Style: Sparkling

Producer:  Lombardini

VINTAGE
The 2018 vintage began with a good winter, as temperatures and precipitations were on average. Spring and early summer was very rainy, which helped the recovery of water resources lost in 2017. The hot weather returned from mid-August which supported
good maturation of the grapes, resulting in intense grapes with well-balanced sugar and acidity.

PRODUCER
Formerly owned by the Lombardini family (proprietors of La Giustiniana in Gavi), Contero is now owned by the Marenco family, who are Moscato and Brachetto specialists in Strevi. This 11 hectare estate remains one of the best producers of invigoratingly delicious Moscato d'Asti and Brachetto d'Acqui. The ripest and best Moscato grapes are used for Moscato d'Asti rather than Asti.

VINEYARDS
The Val Contero vineyards are situated in a perfect amphitheatre in Strevi, the heart of one of the best zones for Moscato in Piemonte. The vineyards are superbly tended and produce fruit of stunning quality. The vines are Guyot trained with 4,800 vines planted per hectare. They are planted on steep tufaceous-marl hills with sandstone layers. The grapes are hand harvested into wooden boxes in mid September.

VINIFICATION
The grapes were gently pressed and fermented at low temperatures to maximise the fragrance. During fermentation the must was filtered several times. The wine was drawn from the vat with an alcohol content of 5.5%, then stabilised before being bottled under pressure to maintain a slight sparkle.

TASTING NOTES
This Moscato d'Asti is delicately sparkling, with a lovely perfume of freshly crushed grapes and sherbet. On the palate, it is off-dry, with a perfect balance of soft, sweet fruit, a hint of Turkish delight and lively, fresh acidity.