Sarunè Asti Secco, an innovative dry sparkling Moscato Bianco

New styles of bubbles, I take note. On a recent visit to Cantina Toso in Piemonte, I stumbled upon Sarunè. Made under the flag of Asti Secco, officially granted DOCG status in 2017, Sarunè is a dry, not sweet, sparkling wine made of Moscato Bianco grapes. And, as an added bonus Sarunè is the first Asti Secco DOCG wine without added sulphites and additives.

The territory of the Moscato Bianco in Piemonte, Italy was delimited in 1932 and covers 52 municipalities located in Alexandria, Asti, and Cuneo.  The Consortium for the Protection of Asti wines or Tutela dell’Asti DOCG knows three pillars: Asti Secco DOCG, Asti Dolce DOCG and Moscato d’Asti DOCG.

Just like the more well-known the sweeter Moscato d’Asti and Asti Dolce, the dry Sarunè Asti Secco is made from Moscato Bianco. No less than fifty thousand healthy bunches of Moscato Bianco grapes went into the 13,200 bottles of Sarunè. Carefully selected and hand-picked, the intact, healthy bunches are vinified with a small addition of carbon dioxide to prevent any contact with oxygen.

Like this, it goes. The carbonic snow cools the grape bunches and protects the grapes with a natural film that prevents oxygen from settling, thus avoiding oxidation. The contact with oxygen could cause the Moscato Bianco to lose its original taste.

The entire processing cycle is done under a nitrogen hood, so the wine can be stored without adding sulphites. This particular way of working is actually an ancient and natural process that enables organic production.

The resulting dry sparkling wine is fresh, pleasantly aromatic and fragrant. On the nose, floral, acacia, elderberry, orange blossom 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, fine and persistent bubbles, and a long, savoury finish.