We’ve just jetted back from a whirlwind trip to Asti, Italy, the heartland of the world’s most beloved bubbly — Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti — and we’re here to fill you in on all the action.
Asti DOCG, Italy’s oldest sparkling wine designation, recently served as the Official Sparkling Wine and Silver Partner of the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. For the fourth consecutive year, this prestigious event brought together the world’s top eight tennis players, including hometown hero Jannik Sinner. Beyond the thrilling matches, Asti DOCG elevated the experience with special events at the Inalpi Arena. From mixology masterclasses to exclusive tastings, wine enthusiasts (including ourselves) had the opportunity to savor the effervescent delights of Piedmont.
From the exhilarating atmosphere of the Nitto ATP Finals to the serene beauty of the Piedmont countryside, this journey was a whirlwind of excitement, luxury, and cultural immersion — and the perfect occasion to raise a glass of Asti DOCG. We’re recapping our dream-worthy week and taking you along for the ride, giving you our top recommendations for Piedmont wineries and, of course, how to celebrate a tennis championship win the right way with Asti!
In this article, you’ll find:
- A History Lesson with Consorzio Asti DOCG
- A Wine Lover’s Paradise: Exploring the Heart of Asti Wineries
- A Taste of Italian Luxury: Our Stay at Le Marne Relais
- A Match Made in Heaven: Tennis and Wine at the Nitto ATP Finals
- A Final Toast to Asti
A History Lesson with Consorzio Asti DOCG
Although you may know Asti best for providing the bottles you pop during life’s most exciting moments, Asti is so much more than just delicious fizz. It’s a region steeped in history, where rolling vineyards bathed in golden sunlight produce the fragrant Moscato Bianco grapes that give these wines their unique character.
Did you know the Consorzio dell’Asti, the governing body for these DOCG wines, was founded all the way back in 1932, and the Asti hills were the first viticultural landscape to be recognized by UNESCO as the first vineyard landscape to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list? Asti has 9,900 hectares planted with Moscato Bianco grapes, spread across 51 municipalities, with most of it (a whopping 88%) being vinified by the Consorzio themselves, ensuring the consistent quality we’ve all come to love.
But Asti isn’t stuck in its traditional ways. Consorzio is constantly innovating, expanding the range of Asti styles to include everything from pas dosé to extra-brut variations. Over 90% of these delicious bubblies are exported worldwide, making them true globetrotters.
For those of you who are newer to Asti DOCG, or sparkling wines in general, we’re giving you a quick breakdown of the leading Asti labels:
- Asti Spumante: The classic Italian sweet sparkling wine, perfect for celebrations and toasting good times. Imagine a symphony of floral and fruity notes, with a touch of honeyed sweetness. The secret lies in the Moscato Bianco grape, grown in the stunning Asti hills (this is the UNESCO World Heritage Site we were mentioning).
- Moscato d’Asti: This one’s a bit lighter and sweeter than its spumante cousin. Think delicate floral aromas with a touch of peach and apricot. It’s slightly bubbly but not quite a full-on sparkling wine.
A Wine Lover’s Paradise: Exploring the Heart of Asti Wineries
Our adventure began in the heart of the Piedmont region, the home of Asti DOCG. This journey with Asti took us through these picturesque vineyards, charming villages, and historic wineries. The rolling hills, dotted with the vines that grow these wines, offered breathtaking views that seemed to stretch on forever.
FONTANAFREDDA
Our first visit was to Fontanafredda winery, a historic estate with a rich heritage since 1858. Fontanafredda is not just a winery but a true community where families have worked the land for generations, fostering a deep respect for the earth and each other. Rooted in tradition, Fontanafredda embodies the values of sustainability and community, with generations of families working together to produce exceptional wines while preserving the natural beauty of the Langhe region.
Here, we explored the stunning vineyards, learned about the winemaking process, and indulged in a delicious lunch at Osteria Disguido paired with exquisite wines. We savored a variety of dishes, each one more delicious than the last. The combination of fresh food, fine wine, and beautiful scenery was simply divine.
The highlight of the visit was the truffle hunting experience with “trifulau” Carlo Merenda, a local truffle expert, and his dog Cicchi. We followed Carlo and Cicchi through the Villaggio Narrante forest, learning about the different types of truffles and how to find them. Throughout the hunt, we took time to indulge our senses in the nature-filled afternoon that only a hike through the Italian countryside can give you.
AZIENDA AGRICOLA ANGELO NEGRO & FIGLI
We also had the opportunity to visit several other renowned wineries, each with its own unique story and style. We visited the beautiful Azienda Agricola Angelo Negro & Figli winery in Monteu Roero, where we learned about their esteemed history and tasted some of their exceptional wines. The winery’s commitment to quality and tradition was visible in every aspect of our visit.
Azienda Agricola Angelo Negro & Figli has been cultivating vineyards in the Roero hills since 1670, honoring a centuries-old family legacy and the region’s indigenous grape varieties. The Negro family’s dedication to traditional winemaking techniques and their unwavering commitment to quality have elevated their wines to international acclaim.
Azienda Agricola Angelo Negro & Figli remains a true family-run winery, with the Negro family actively involved in every aspect of the business. From vineyard management to winemaking and distribution, the family’s passion and expertise are evident in each bottle. This familial approach ensures that the winery’s traditions are preserved while embracing innovation and sustainability.
DOGLIOTTI 1870
Finally, we visited Dogliotti 1870 winery in Castagnole delle Lanze. Founded in 1870 by brothers Giuseppe and Marcello Dogliotti in Castiglione Tinella, Piedmont, Dogliotti 1870 has been crafting exceptional wines for over a century. Three cousins, Erik, Ivan, and Matteo Dogliotti, have now taken the reins of the family business, combining their expertise in enology, business, and design to elevate Dogliotti 1870 to new heights.
The winery’s renowned Moscato d’Asti was once a local treasure but now captivates palates worldwide, earning prestigious accolades and gold medals at esteemed wine competitions. Always aiming for innovation, Dogliotti 1870 created Dogliotti’s Moscato d’Asti Erik DOCG in 2011, a unique, age-worthy interpretation of the classic style, offering a complex interplay of floral, fruity, and mineral notes that defy expectations — a true one-of-a-kind wine and best-seller of the winery.
After a tour of the Dogliotti 1870 winery, we were treated to a private lunch prepared by Italian Chef Diego Bongiovanni, a culinary experience that was both delicious and memorable. Chef Bongiovanni is a man of many culinary talents with an infectious personality. Our meal was a unique take on Italian classics, recreating traditionally meat-centered dishes using vegetables, wowing us with the incredible tastes Chef Bongiovanni created, each dish tantalizing our taste buds more than the last. The lunch was held in the winery’s cellar, a unique and atmospheric setting as we sipped Italian wines fireside.
Each winery was steeped in traditions that can only be experienced best by stepping foot into them yourselves. We highly recommend traveling to Piedmont during your next Italian adventure and visiting the Fontanafredda, Azienda Agricola Angelo Negro & Figli, and Dogliotti 1870 wineries to learn about their unique wine-making processes and to taste some of the most exceptional wines Asti has to offer.
A Taste of Italian Luxury: Our Stay at Le Marne Relais
To complement our wine-filled days, we were fortunate to stay at the beautiful Le Marne Relais. This luxurious retreat, nestled amidst the rolling hills of Piedmont’s wine country, offers a unique blend of art and nature and resembles its own small village.
The property boasts two restored farmhouses, one dedicated to renowned Piedmontese poets and the other to contemporary artists, each housing beautifully designed rooms with breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards. Our room provided the perfect retreat after a day of exploring, accompanied by comfortable accommodations, impeccable service, and delectable cuisine, which made our stay truly memorable.
At Le Marne Relais, guests can indulge in world-class amenities, including a professional gym, a spa, a 25-meter indoor pool, a gourmet restaurant, and extensive outdoor spaces perfect for relaxation and recreation. The view of the countryside is truly unmatched, making you feel as if you are living inside of an Italian daydream.
During our trip to Asti, we also indulged in delicious dinners at local restaurants each night, savoring the delectable flavors of Piedmontese cuisine. From hearty pasta dishes at Le Scuderie in Govone Castle and the Michelin-starred Casa Crippa in Canelli (we recommend trying the Agnolotti del Plin, a traditional Piedmont stuffed pasta) to mouth-watering meat at Cà del Profeta in Montaldo Scarampi, the food was always fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented.
The constant among our meals was ending with some dolce, Moscato d’Asti (the best Moscato you can find if you ask us), and heartfelt conversations among friends about each incredible day we had, in true Italian fashion.
A Match Made in Heaven: Tennis and Wine at the Nitto ATP Finals
The main event of our adventure took place in the vibrant city of Turin, where the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals were in full swing. We had the privilege of attending a thrilling tennis match between Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Russia’s Andrey Rublev, as we sipped on the finest Asti cocktails and rubbed shoulders with tennis enthusiasts from around the globe.
The energy at the Inalpi Arena was palpable. The roar of the crowd, the intense rallies, and the electrifying excitement all made for a truly unforgettable experience.
As the official sparkling wine of the Nitto ATP Finals, Asti DOCG brought a touch of Italian elegance (as they always do) to the world of tennis, through both their cocktail stand for fans to enjoy as well as their celebratory bottles for the victor of the finals.
Lorenzo Sonego, an Italian tennis player known for his powerful serve, is an ambassador for Asti DOCG and was a popular figure among fans at the tournament as he signed autographs at the Asti DOCG stand.
“Our collaboration with the ATP allows us to pair the Asti brand with the world of sports, particularly tennis, thus expanding our audience of passionate fans and potential new consumers that we can reach,” commented Giacomo Pondini, Director of the Asti DOCG.
“This partnership will continue in 2025, with the aromatic bubbles of Piedmont present in the glasses at the Turin Finals and some of the most important tournaments on the circuit, including the Rome Masters 1000.”
As the Nitto ATP Finals concluded on Sunday, November 17, Italy’s Jannik Sinner took home the trophy against United States’ Taylor Fritz, earning Sinner his first Nitto ATP Finals title. The champion enthusiastically commemorated his win by spraying the iconic Asti bottle during his victory celebration.
A Final Toast to Asti
Our trip to Piedmont was a true “la dolce vita” experience. It was a journey that combined the thrill of world-class tennis at the Nitto ATP Finals with the pleasure of exploring the exceptionally beautiful Piedmont region and indulging in its famous culinary delights.
Asti offers a unique blend of history, culture, and culinary excellence, making it a must-visit destination for any wine lover — with Asti DOCG paving the way in the sparkling wine industry by setting top-of-the-line standards in quality, taste, and, of course, good times.
