Quesitons about sweet wines.

[curious]

Isn't Asti a sparkling wine? That is the type that I have found I like best.

I'm not trying to start a fight here, just curious, and want to know.
I know that "True" Champagne comes only from Champagne France, but couldn't something like Asti be similar? It's not the same, but a subcatagory. The only way I can think to explain what I am perceiving it as is a comparrision of dogs. Shelties (Shetland Sheepdogs) and Collies are similar, but are not the same breed. Shelties are not even miniture collies, they just have a common ancestor.
Have I just muddied the water more?
Help me and our newbie understand this, okay?

Janette (curious)