ASTI (anc. Hasta)  , a town and episcopal see of Piedmont, Italy, in the province of Alessandria, situated on the Tanaro; it is 22 M . W. by rail from Alessandria . Pop . (1901) town, 19,787; commune, 41,047 . Asti has still numerous medieval towers, a fine Gothic cathedral of the 14th century, the remains of a Christian basilica of the 6th century, and the octagonal baptistery of S . Pietro (11th century) . It was the birthplace of the poet Vittorio Alfieri . In ancient times it manufactured pottery . It is now famous for its sparkling wine (Asti spumante), and is a considerable centre of trade .