Wine production is an important part of the economy of the Astesana area: with over 100 million bottles produced annually, it represents around 30% of the DOC wines of Piedmont, and is therefore the most prolific of Piedmont’s eight famed wine areas (Alto Monferrato, Monferrato, Colli Tortonesi, Langhe, Roero, Canavese and Carema, Gattinara, Ghemme and the other Nebbiolo wines of northern Piedmont).
But the main feature of this wine country is the outstanding quality of products, with a range which covers the full spectrum of courses: from dry spumante to dry white wines, to light reds to more full-bodied reds suited for ageing, aromatic whites and reds, including passito, and spirits (grappa in particular).
The long-standing tradition of wine production has also led to the creation of special wines such as Barolo chinato – a fortified, flavoured wine. The same technique is now used with Barbera.
Canelli is the town where Italian spumante was invented two hundred years ago, in particular the aromatic variety known as “Asti” spumante. This is now the world’s number one Italian wine, and around 80 million bottles are produced every year.
Dry spumante wines include the newly launched "Alta Langa" doc, produced in the Langa Astigiana vineyards above an altitude of 500 metres.
The most important wine in Astesana (42 million bottles in 2001) is Barbera, a highly versatile red with an eminently pleasing palate: there are younger, fresher Barberas which can be drunk immediately, then there is the classic variety, which is good for up to 5-6 years. If the label bears the term "superiore" then it is Barbera d'Asti that has aged longer in wood (large or small barrels) and in the bottle, to prolong its lifespan.
Since the 2000 harvest Barbera d’Asti has also been produced with the appellation “Nizza”, which refers to a specific area covering Nizza Monferrato and 15 other communes (Agliano, Bruno, Calamandrana, Castel Boglione, Castelnuovo Belbo, Castelnuovo Calcea, Castel Rocchero, Cortiglione, Fontanile, Incisa Scapaccino, Maranzana, Mombaruzzo, San Marzano Oliveto, Vaglio Serra and Vinchio).
Barbera d'Asti is currently Piedmont’s most successful red, enjoying great popularity among discerning drinkers. Competition is fierce, both among wine-makers and on the market, and every year in Astesana there are events dedicated to tasting sessions and comparisons. The same grape variety is also used to produce other DOC wines: Barbera del Monferrato (younger and sometimes slightly sparkling), Piemonte Barbera and Monferrato Rosso (from a blend of various different grapes). The other red wines from the Astesana area are Dolcetto d'Asti, Freisa d'Asti, Grignolino d'Asti, Monferrato Dolcetto, Monferrato Freisa and Piemonte Grignolino, which are mainly sold in Italy.
The white wines of the Astesana area are Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato, Monferrato, Piemonte Chardonnay and Piemonte Cortese.
Then there is a particularly wide range of aromatic wines: first and foremost Moscato d'Asti, which is usually described as ‘naturale’ to distinguish it from Asti spumante. Moscato d’Asti is made from the finest quality selected grapes from the varietal of the same name, that the local wine-makers are specialised in producing. The bottles often bear the name of the specific vineyard, denoting it as a rarity, of outstanding quality, which is often harvested late. Partially dried moscato grapes are also used to produce Loazzolo, an expensive speciality wine made only in the town of the same name. Production runs to fewer than 10 thousand small-sized bottles.
Also hailing from this area are Brachetto d'Acqui and Piemonte Brachetto, an aromatic red, light in colour with a subtle bouquet, also produced in a spumante version.
Astesana also offers vino Novello (around 100 thousand bottles), which comes out on 6 November every year, just a few weeks after the harvest, under the name Vino Novello Piemontese.
There is a total of 12 DOC and DOC wines, but taking into account the various types and subcategories, there is a grand total of 47 different labels: a vast panorama of specialities and biodiversity, of which Astesana is rightfully proud.
Grappa and wine-based spirits are an important tradition in Astesana, which has 5 distilleries. The main types of grappa are those made from Barbera and Moscato marc, and there are some wonderful specialities which mature slowly in wooden barrels.