Tank-fermented sparkling wine: the Charmat and Asti methods
Charmat (tank) method: fresh, fruity, good value
Secondary fermentation takes place in a large, pressure-resistant stainless-steel tank, and then the wine is chilled, filtered and bottled under pressure. It is faster and cheaper, and the wine keeps the grape's fruit and floral aromas. Prosecco and many other sparkling wines are made this way.
Asti method: sweet, Muscat sparkling wine
A single fermentation, under pressure, in a tank. The winemaker stops the fermentation by chilling and filtering before all the sugar has turned into alcohol. The result is a low-alcohol, sweet, Muscat-scented, fruity sparkling wine.
