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