Barbera d'Asti DOCG

The origins of this vine are very ancient, but the first documents that bear witness to it date back only to a few centuries ago. In fact, the first formal trace of Barbera is found in a seventeenth-century document preserved in the Municipality of Nizza Monferrato. While it was made official only in 1798, when the first ampelography of the vines cultivated in the Piedmont area was drawn up by Count Nuvolose, deputy director of the Agricultural Society of Turin. “Powerful wine, always rather severe, but rich in an exquisite aroma, and a flavor that combines strength with finesse”.
Barbera, or rather Barbera according to the Piedmontese tradition, is one of the best known and appreciated wines throughout Italy for the generosity of the alcoholic character. Its first poetic singer was Giosuè Carducci who wrote about “Generosa Barbera” capable of making those who drink it feel strong. More recently, Cesare Pavese wrote about this wine in one of his letters calling it “… legendary”.
Recognized as DOC since 1970, the controlled and guaranteed designation of origin “Barbera d’Asti” was established in 2008 and is reserved for red wines of the following types: “Barbera d’Asti” and superior “Barbera d’Asti”; also with the possible specification of the sub-areas “Nizza”, “Tinella” and “Colli Astiani” or “Astiano”.

Territory

The production area is located in the Monferrato area characterized by a low-lying hilly system, mostly between 150 and 400 meters above sea level, a temperate or temperate-warm climate, not very windy and with an average annual rainfall of around 700 millimeters.
The Production Area of ​​the Barbera d’Asti DOCG Wine is located in:
– province of Asti, and includes the territory of the municipalities of Agliano Terme, Albugnano, Antignano, Aramengo, Asti, Azzano d’Asti, Baldichieri, Belveglio, Berzano S. Pietro, Bruno, Bubbio, Buttigliera d’Asti, Calamandrana, Calliano, Calosso, Camerano Casasco, Canelli, Cantarana, Capriglio, Casorzo, Cassinasco, Castagnole Lanze, Castagnole Monferrato, Castel Boglione, Castell’Alfero, Castellero, Castelletto Molina, Castello d’Annone, Castelnuovo Belbo, Castelnuovo Calcea, Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Castel Rocchero, Celle Enomondo, Cerreto d’Asti, Cerro Tanaro, Cessole, Chiusano d’Asti, Cinaglio, Cisterna d’Asti, Coazzolo, Cocconato, Corsione, Cortandone, Cortanze, Cortazzone, Cortiglione, Cossombrato, Costigliole d’Asti, Cunico, Dusino San Michele, Ferrere , Fontanile, Frinco, Grana, Grazzano Badoglio, Incisa Scapaccino, Isola d’Asti, Loazzolo, Maranzana, Maretto, Moasca, Mombaldone, Mombaruzzo, Mombercelli, Monale, Monastero Bormida, Moncalvo, Moncucco Torinese, Mongardino, Montabone, Montafia, Montaldo Scarampi, Montechiaro d’Asti, Montegrosso d’Asti, Montemagno, Montiglio Monferrato, Moransengo, Nizza Monferrato, Olmo Gentile, Passerano Marmorito , Penango, Piea, Pino d’Asti, Piovà Massaia, Portacomaro, Quaranti, Refrancore, Revigliasco d’Asti, Roatto, Robella, Rocca d’Arazzo, Roccaverano, Rocchetta Palafea, Rocchetta Tanaro, San Damiano D’Asti, San Giorgio Scarampi , San Martino Alfieri, San Marzano Oliveto, San Paolo Solbrito, Scurzolengo, Serole, Sessame, Settime, Soglio, Tigliole, Tonco, Tonengo, Vaglio Serra, Valfenera, Vesime, Viale d’Asti, Viarigi, Vigliano, Villafranca d’Asti, Villa San Secondo and Vinchio.- province of Alessandria , and includes the territory of the municipalities of Acqui, Alfiano Natta, Alice Bel Colle, Altavilla Monferrato, Bergamasco, Bistagno, Borgoratto Alessandrino, Camagna Monferrato, Camino, Carentino, Casale Monferrato, Cassine, Castelletto Merli, Cellamonte, Cereseto, Cerrina , Coniolo, Conzano, Cuccaro Monferrato, Frascaro, Frassinello Monferrato, Fubine, Gabiano, Gamalero, Lu Monferrato, Mirabello Monferrato, Mombello Monferrato, Moncestino, Murisengo, Occimiano, Odalengo Grande, Odalengo Piccolo, Olivola, Ottiglio, Ozzano Monferrato, Pontestura, Ponzano Monferrato, Ricaldone, Rosignano Monferrato, Sala Monferrato, S. Giorgio Monferrato, S. Salvatore Monferrato, Serralunga di Crea, Solonghello, Strevi, Terruggia, Terzo, Treville, Vignale, Villadeati and Villamiroglio.

Vinification and Aging

During the vinification phases, only loyal and constant oenological practices of the area are allowed, suitable to give the wines their peculiar quality characteristics.
The oenological winemaking practices of the Barbera d’Asti DOCG wine include, among other things, that:
– The maximum yield of grapes in finished wine must not exceed 70% for both types of Barbera d’Asti. If this yield exceeds the indicated percentage, but not more than 75%, the excess will not be entitled to the DOCG and beyond this percentage limit the right to the DOCG for the whole product lapses.
– In compliance with the% of grape / wine yield and in the presence of certain cultivation requirements, the term ” Vigna ” may be mentioned .
– The following wines must undergo a period of aging :
Barbera d’Asti at least 4 months;
Barbera d’Asti “Vigna” at least 4 months;
Barbera d’Asti Superiore at least 14 months of which 6 in wood;
Barbera d’Asti Superiore “Vigna” at least 14 months of which 6 in wood.
– It’s allowed topping up with the same wine stored in other containers, for no more than 10% of the total volume, during the entire compulsory aging.
– With regard to the grapes destined for the production of the DOCG Barbera d’Asti wines, it is allowed to change the harvest choice towards the designations of origin Monferrato rosso, Piemonte Barbera and Monferrato Chiaretto and Ciaret.
– Wines destined for the “Barbera d’Asti” DOCG can be reclassified , with the denomination of controlled origin “Monferrato” red, “Piemonte” Barbera, “Piemonte” red.