Monferrato’s blooming wines

By / Wine + Drinks / October 29th, 2020 / 18

An inside look at the 4 DOCG appellations that are writing a new Piedmontese wine story

Monferrato is a charming piece of Piedmont historically consecrated and devoted to vine-growing and winemaking, as evidenced by an amazing heritage of indigenous varieties.

This historical wine area is writing a new chapter of Piedmontese wine history thanks to its winemakers who are achieving higher and higher recognition, bringing rare and ancient autochthonous grapes to the spotlight.

Let’s take a closer look into the fascinating DOCGs (the highest classification for Italian wines) protected by the Consorzio Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato

Barbera d’Asti DOCG

The Barbera d’Asti DOCG appellation includes 167 municipalities in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria and it extends for more than 5,300 hectares.

Intense aromas of red fruit and cherry, low tannins, and vibrant acidity pair perfectly with its good structure. It is one of the great Piedmontese red wines, distinguishing for being incredibly food-friendly. With its fruity scents, refreshing acidity and different styles, it is the perfect wine to accompany a wide variety of dishes.

Nizza DOCG

The Barbera grapes for Nizza DOCG are exclusively grown in the sunny and best exposed slopes in a small area that includes only 18 municipalities around Nizza Monferrato. Nizza DOCG stands out for having a production disciplinary that has set very strict regulations to maintain high-quality standards of grapes and wines. This elegant and structured wine requires a minimum aging period of 18 months, of which 6 are in wood; while for the Riserva typology a minimum of 30 months of aging of which at least 12 in wood. Its aromatic profile is rich in red fruit, ripe cherry, raspberry and tobacco notes.

Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG

Ruchè is easily Monferrato’s most rare native variety. This grape is mainly cultivated in the province of Asti, in the hills around Castagnole Monferrato and a few neighboring hamlets. Ruchè is a medium-bodied, intense ruby red wine that showcases a bold aromatic profile: fruity notes of berries and cherries, flowers, and earthy spice. The soft tannins mark a pleasantly dry finish that pairs well with the entire meal, from appetizers of cured meats and medium-aged cheeses to pasta and main entrées. In 2020, the Riserva typology for Ruchè has been introduced, requiring 24 months of aging, 12 of which are spent in wooden barrels.

Terre Alfieri DOCG

This DOCG, made official in the summer of 2020, is linked to eleven municipalities, seven in the province of Asti and four in the province of Cuneo, all united by a precise morphological and ampelographic peculiarity: the Asti sands that make up the land.

The wine obtained from the Arneis grape is a white wine with good personality and finesse. It has a distinctive aroma characterized by intense fruity sensations and has a rich body.

The wine obtained from the Nebbiolo grape has a color that ranges from ruby red to intense garnet and develops delicate aromas from raspberry to wild strawberry and light floral and spicy notes. Dry, full-bodied with a slight tannic vein, it offers a good flavor persistence.

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