Riondo Moscato d'Asti 2011
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Enjoy it ice cold by itself, after dinner, or with your favorite dessert.
In the heart of the Soave production zone, where grapes are history and tradition, Cantine Riondo offers a range of still and naturally fermented sparkling wines that express all the virtues of the territory under several different brands on both the domestic and export markets. For Riondo wine is a real passion, where years of patience, experience and dedication are combined to give one result: the gift of moments of sheer pleasure.
Established in 2008, Collis-Riondo is one of the largest and most important wine producers in Veneto and in Italy, with over 14,800 acres of vineyards that are managed daily by more than 2,400 associated farmers. Riondo, named after the Mount Riondo near to the winery, is the Collis-Riondo brand dedicated to the Carmat method DOC sparkling wines.
While Muscat comes in a wide range of styles from dry to sweet, still to sparkling and even fortified, it's safe to say it is always alluringly aromatic and delightful. The two most important versions are the noble, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, making wines of considerable quality and Muscat of Alexandria, thought to be a progeny of the former. Somm Secret—Pliny the Elder wrote in the 13th century of a sweet, perfumed grape variety so attractive to bees that he referred to it as uva apiana, or “grape of the bees.” Most likely, he was describing Muscat.
Recognized as the source of the best Barbera in all of Italy, Asti is a province (as well as major city) in Piedmont, consisting of a gentle, rolling landscape with vineyards, farmland and forests alternating throughout.
Barbera d’Asti can be made in an array of styles from relatively straightforward, fruity and ready for consumption early, to the more concentrated, oak aged version with an ability to cellar impressively for 10-15 years and beyond. Some of the very best sites for Barbera in Asti are concentrated in the subzone of Nizza Monferrato. Other red varieties grown here include Freisa, Grignolino and Dolcetto, which can be bottled varietally or blended into Barbera.
Historically consumers commonly associated the Asti region with Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti, both playful, aromatic, sparkling wines made from the Muscat grape. Asti Spumante is less sweet, fully fizzy and more alcoholic (yet still clocking in at only around 9% alcohol) while Moscato d’Asti is sweeter, gently sparkling (“frizzante”) and closer to 5 or 6% alcohol. Each is produced in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh and fruity flavors of the grape, often including peach, apricot, lychee and rose petal. Asti is also the spot for the pink-hued Brachetto d'Acqui, a slightly sparkling wine ready to charm with its raspberry and rose flavors and aromas.