Bera Asti Spumante DOCG

Asti DOCG, Italy

Bera's fully sparkling Asti (as opposed to the semi-sparkling Moscato d'Asti) from the same Canelli Moscato Bianco vineyards. More exuberant fizz than Moscato d'Asti, equally aromatic, slightly higher alcohol (7%). The benchmark for Asti Spumante DOCG: a wine that predates Champagne's global dominance and remains a landmark for sweet sparkling.

Pairings

• dessert: Bera Asti Spumante's sweetness pairs with the Italian custard tart; a Piedmontese mother's dessert with its region's wine
• dessert: Classic stone fruit concordance: Asti's peach-dominant aromatics create seamless harmony with poached peach; raspberry adds acidic contrast
• dessert: Asti Spumante and the Italian fruit tart are a celebration classic; the sweetness matches without overwhelming
• celebration: Asti Spumante is the traditional Italian Easter wine; its stone fruit and orange peel match the candied fruit in Colomba; exuberant fizz lifts the richness
• dessert: Zabaione and sparkling sweet wine is a classic Venetian and Piedmontese tradition; the wine's fizz lifts the richness while its fruit complements the egg custard
• aperitif: Asti Spumante's sweetness amplifies melon's sugar while contrasting the salt of prosciutto; the aperitivo application is underrated and highly effective
• dessert: Tiramisu's coffee-mascarpone richness and the wine's sweet peach fizz create a contrast pairing that works precisely because they are so different