Asti Week is back for its second U.S. edition, and this time Chicago becomes the stage for a full‑city exploration of Moscato d’Asti Docg and Asti Spumante Docg. From April 20 to 26, some of the city’s most vibrant restaurants will spotlight the versatility of these iconic Piedmontese wines through curated menus, creative pairings, and by‑the‑glass selections.
The initiative, promoted by the Consorzio Asti Docg, aims to show how aromatic, naturally low‑alcohol sparkling wines can shine far beyond traditional contexts—embracing seafood, spice‑driven dishes, desserts, and modern fusion cuisine. After last year’s successful debut in New York, Chicago now becomes the next urban laboratory for a project that blends Italian identity with global dining culture.
A modern take on Asti wines across Chicago’s dining scene
Asti Week was created to highlight the expressive range of Asti Docg wines and their ability to pair with a wide spectrum of flavors. Chicago’s dynamic restaurant landscape—spanning contemporary American, Italian, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisines—offers the ideal environment to showcase this versatility.
Throughout the week, participating venues will present dedicated menus, inventive pairings, or special pours centered around Moscato d’Asti Docg and Asti Spumante Docg. The goal is to invite diners to experience these wines in unexpected ways, discovering how their aromatic intensity, freshness, and natural sweetness can elevate both classic and unconventional dishes.
This approach reflects a broader shift in global consumption: a growing appreciation for lighter, more mindful drinking styles. With alcohol levels of just 5% for Moscato d’Asti and 7% for Asti Spumante—achieved naturally, without dealcoholization—Asti wines align perfectly with this contemporary mindset.
Aromatic, refreshing, and naturally low‑alcohol
At the heart of Asti Week is a renewed narrative around Asti Docg wines. Their hallmark aromas, lively sweetness, and vibrant acidity make them ideal companions for a wide range of culinary traditions. From spicy plates to seafood, from pastries to fusion cuisine, these wines adapt with surprising ease.
As Giacomo Pondini, Director of the Consorzio Asti Docg, explains, the initiative aims to show how approachable and food‑friendly these wines truly are. Their naturally low alcohol content resonates strongly with today’s consumers, who increasingly seek freshness, balance, and drinkability without sacrificing character.
This second U.S. edition reinforces the idea that Asti wines can move confidently beyond the boundaries of Italian cuisine, finding their place in multicultural dining settings and appealing to a new generation of wine lovers.
Chicago as a strategic hub for international growth
Following the success of the New York debut, Chicago represents a strategic choice for expanding the Asti Week project. The city’s restaurant scene is known for its openness to experimentation and its diverse, trend‑aware audience. By partnering with establishments that interpret global culinary traditions, the initiative underscores the international relevance of Asti Docg wines.
Participating restaurants include Il Girasole Trattoria, Indian Garden, Mano A Mano, Mercato by Lino’s, Nora, North Pond, Osteria del Pastaio, Piccolo Sogno, Robert’s Pizza, Rooted, Sakana, Tank Kitchen & Bar, The Dining Room at Kendall College, Uvae Chicago, Void, and Volare.
Asti Week thus becomes more than a promotional event: it is a strategic platform that strengthens the global positioning of Asti Docg. Through a contemporary, urban narrative, the project highlights these wines as authentic expressions of Piedmont while also embodying a modern, international lifestyle built on freshness, conviviality, and well‑being.
