WTI Magazine #20    2014 Mar, 7
Author : Vino OK      Translation by: Alessandra Bitetti

The sweet Spumante is a sparkling wine variety typical of Italy, with a residual sugar content exceeding 50 grams per liter. In the traditional production, as the producers act on the residual sugar content, it is possible to obtain different types of sparkling wines that can range from very dry "brut" styles to sweeter "doux" varieties depending on the sugar that it contained. It is also very important the blend of grapes used and the Wine Moscato is the grape employed mainly for the sweets production.

Italy has a strong tradition in the production of sweet Spumante even if they are produced in other countries, too. But we can affirm that Italy – before the progression in the production of Franciacorta and the business of Prosecco di Valdobbiane – was famous for its sweet Spumante produced especially on the Piemonte region, in particular Asti.

Nowadays, all the Italian regions are involved in the production of Spumante, that could be white, rosé or red. Among the production areas of the sweet Spumante, the Piemonte region and in particular the Asti DOCG (controlled designation of origin guaranteed) has a primary role, both for tradition and quality. In this designation it is used the pure Moscato, a grape variety provided for a sparkling wine production process and a production of sweet wines. But the all Piedmont is a good sweet wines producer with a lot of companies that work in the area. Even the Cortese variety contributes to produce a good sweet spumante.

Also the Lombardy region produces excellent sweet sparkling wines by using natural method, especially under the Oltrepò Pavese Classic Method denomination. Whereas, the Franciacorta produces very little sweet wines because the brut ones darks them. In fact, Brut join such as high qualitative levels that could be compared to Champagnes.

In the Veneto region, the production involves almost all the denominations; the supremacy belongs to Valdobbiadene and Asolani Hills.Others good sweet sparkling wines are produced in Sicily and in nearly every Italian regions, even if they can't reach the levels of the Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto.

The sweet spumante is served at a temperature as low as 6-7° C to soften the evident sweetness characterizing it. Among the most selected, it is suggested to taste it during an happy-hour or while eating fresh fruit with cream and the typical Christmas bakery or with dry cookies. It's excellent to match it with winter dried fruit or almonds.