‘Spumante’ (pronounced spoo-mahn-tay) means ‘foaming’ in Italian and is the name given to sparkling Italian wines (other terms used: ‘bubbly’ or ‘fizzy’ wine).
Italy wears the crown for producing the widest range of Spumante wines in the world. What a title to carry. And deservedly so, I might add! You can sample a range of Spumante wines - red, white, dry, sweet, semi-sweet, you name it! - from the light Lambrusco to the red Bracchetto, from the white Prosecco to the slightly dry Asti (formerly known as Asti Spumante).
AND THE MOST POPULAR SPUMANTE IN ITALY IS…
Well, that title goes to the already-mentioned Asti (produced in the Piedmont wine region bearing the same name), made from the Muscat grape. Asti is light and slightly dry on the palate with a slight peachy undertone. The same Muscat grape is used to make the less sparkling but still pleasant Moscato d’Asti. However, Asti is better known.
THE PROCESS…
The sparkling effect in Spumante is achieved by encouraging the production of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the wine. If the CO2 isn’t released, then pressure builds up causing bubbles to form. The CO2 is produced by either:
a) adding yeast and sugar to still wine and allowing it to ferment in the closed bottle
or
b) adding yeast and sugar to still wine in a steel tank, allowing it to ferment, then pressure-filling it into a bottle
or
c) manually injecting CO2 into the finished product
ALAS, SO MUCH TO DO, SO LITTLE TIME…
Now, you have yet another thing to add to your list when you go wine touring in Italy, apart from the truffles, the chocolate, the wonderful food and the breathtaking view! And that’s Spumante wine tasting!
Enjoy!
Until next time, Alla prossima!
(img by: conanil)