Sarunè Asti Secco, an innovative dry sparkling Moscato Bianco

During a recent visit to Cantina Toso in Piemonte, I discovered a dry sparkling wine called Sarunè. It falls under the Asti Secco label, which was granted DOCG status in 2017. Sarunè is a pleasant surprise because the wine is dry, not off-dry or medium-sweet like most Asti sparkling wines. Additionally, the 13,200 bottles of Sarunè are the first Asti Secco DOCG wines without added sulphites, quite an accomplishment.

The territory of the Moscato Bianco grapes was delimited in 1932 and covers 52 municipalities in Alexandria, Asti, and Cuneo. What makes the areas of the Moscato Bianco so fascinating is their natural diversity. Moscato Bianco can be found on the steep hills of the Langhe and the rounder, smoother hills of Monferrato. The Consortium for the Protection of Asti wines or Tutela dell’Asti DOCG knows three pillars: wines of Asti Secco DOCG, Asti Dolce DOCG and Moscato d’Asti DOCG. 

Akin to the more well-known sweet Asti Dolce and Moscato d’Asti, Sarunè Asti Secco is made from Moscato Bianco grapes. Moscato Bianco grown in 52 municipalities in Alexandria, Asti, and Cuneo. To produce Sarunè Asti Secco 50.000 healthy bunches are needed, carefully selected and hand-picked from the vineyards of Marini and San Grato in Santo Stefano Belbo and Canelli. 

The ripe, intact, healthy bunches are vinified with a small addition of carbon dioxide. The carbonic snow cools the grape bunches and protects the grapes with a natural film that prevents oxygen from settling, thus avoiding oxidation. The wine is then stored under a nitrogen hood, without adding sulphites. This is an ancient and natural process that enables organic production.

The resulting dry sparkling wine is fresh, aromatic and fragrant. It has floral, acacia, elderberry, orange blossom aromas and fruity notes of citrus, pear, bergamot tea, and white peach. On the palate, Sarunè Asti Secco is dry, soft, and balanced, with good acidity and a long, savoury finish.