Asti Week Chicago 2026 runs April 20-26 at 16 restaurants citywide. Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumante paired with cuisines from Indian to Japanese. Reserve now.
Four days from now, 16 Chicago restaurants will spend a week pairing some of Italy’s most underrated wines with everything from Indian cuisine to Japanese seafood to modern American fusion. Asti Week lands in Chicago from April 20 to April 26 — and if you haven’t heard of it yet, now is the time to make a reservation.
Asti DOCG wines — Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumante — are produced from Moscato Bianco grapes in Piedmont, northwestern Italy. Aromatic, naturally sweet, refreshingly low in alcohol (5% for Moscato d’Asti, 7% for Asti Spumante) — these are wines that have spent decades being underestimated by serious wine drinkers and overordered by everyone else. Asti Week exists to close that gap, pairing them with a range of cuisines that demonstrate just how versatile they actually are.
Chicago is the second U.S. city to host the program, following last year’s successful New York edition. The city’s diverse restaurant scene made it the obvious next stop.
Why These Wines Deserve a Closer Look
The knock on Asti wines has always been the sweetness. Too sweet for a serious meal, too simple for a serious wine drinker. That reputation is both outdated and incomplete.
Moscato d’Asti at 5% ABV is one of the most food-friendly wines in any cellar — its natural acidity cuts through richness, its aromatic profile lifts spice rather than fighting it, and its sweetness acts as a counterweight to heat in a way that dry wines simply can’t. Asti Spumante at 7% adds effervescence and a little more structure, making it a genuine option for aperitivo service or light seafood courses.
The low alcohol levels are also landing differently in 2026 than they would have a decade ago. Mindful drinking is no longer a fringe conversation — it’s a mainstream consumer priority, and Asti wines offer full flavor and genuine complexity at alcohol levels that let you stay at the table longer.
“Asti Week was created to showcase how versatile and approachable Asti wines are at the table,”
Giacomo Pondini
Director of Consorzio Asti DOCG
“Alongside their aromatic character and refreshing profile, they are also known for their naturally low alcohol levels — a feature that strongly resonates with today’s growing interest in lighter, more mindful drinking. Choosing Chicago for the second edition was a natural decision: with its vibrant and diverse restaurant scene, we believe it provides the ideal stage to highlight the unique qualities of Asti wines.”
The 16 Restaurants Participating
This is where Asti Week Chicago gets genuinely interesting. The restaurant list spans multiple cuisines and neighborhoods, which is the whole point — Asti wines pairing seamlessly beyond traditional Italian cuisine is the argument the event is making.
The full list of participating restaurants: 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.
North Pond in Lincoln Park is one of the city’s most respected farm-to-table restaurants — seeing Moscato d’Asti on that menu alongside seasonal American cuisine is the kind of unexpected pairing that changes how you think about a wine. Sakana brings a Japanese perspective that should be genuinely illuminating — the aromatic profile of Moscato d’Asti against clean seafood and delicate sauces is a combination worth experiencing deliberately rather than stumbling into.
Indian Garden is perhaps the boldest pairing on the list and potentially the most rewarding. The low alcohol and natural sweetness of Asti wines against the complex spice of Indian cuisine is a pairing that sommeliers have quietly recommended for years. Seeing it on a formal week-long program brings that conversation into the open.
How to Participate
Each participating restaurant will feature special pairings, curated menus, or by-the-glass selections centered around Moscato d’Asti DOCG and Asti Spumante DOCG throughout the week. No single ticket or event registration — just make a reservation at any of the 16 participating restaurants between April 20 and April 26 and ask about the Asti Week selections.
With North Pond and several other high-demand spots on the list, booking sooner rather than later is the right move. The week starts in four days.
Full event details and restaurant information at the Asti Week Chicago event page.
FAQ
What is Asti Week Chicago? Asti Week Chicago runs April 20 to April 26, 2026, featuring 16 restaurants across the city offering special pairings, curated menus, and by-the-glass selections centered around Moscato d’Asti DOCG and Asti Spumante DOCG wines. It is the second U.S. edition of the program, following last year’s successful New York debut.
What are Asti DOCG wines? Asti DOCG wines — Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumante — are produced from Moscato Bianco grapes in Piedmont, northwestern Italy. Known for their aromatic character, natural sweetness, and low alcohol levels (5% for Moscato d’Asti, 7% for Asti Spumante), they are among the most distinctive sparkling wines in Italy and pair exceptionally well with spicy, sweet, and seafood-forward cuisines.
How do I participate in Asti Week Chicago? Make a reservation at any of the 16 participating restaurants between April 20 and April 26 and ask about the Asti Week wine selections. No tickets or registration required. Restaurants include North Pond, Sakana, Indian Garden, Piccolo Sogno, and 12 others across Chicago’s diverse dining neighborhoods.
