The province of Alessandria and its wines

ALEXALA

The province of Alessandria and its Wines

Curated by Gianluigi Corona provincial repersentative of Alessandria Asti and national ONAV adviser

The province of Alessandria can boast an ancient winemaking tradition which is highlighted in five marcro-areas listed in random order, Acqui Terme, Ovada, Gavi, Tortona, Casale Monferrato.

Each of these areas are home to special uniqiue Wines which we will now discover or rediscover.

AREA OF ACQUI: Moscato d’Asti – Asti – Strevi – Brachetto d’Acqui – Acqui – Barbera d’Asti – Barbera del M.to – Alta Langa

AREA OF OVADA: Dolcetto dì Ovada – Ovada – Barbera del M.to – Cortese dell’Alto Monferrato – Alta Langa

AREA OF GAVI: Gavi – Dolcetto d’Ovada

AREA OF TORTONA: Colli Tortonesi Barbera – Timorasso – Croatina – Cortese

AREA OF CASALE: Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese – Barbera d’Asti – Barbera del Monferrato

Let us now take a closer look at each one in terms of variety and colour, dividing them into white, red, still, sparkling, and aromatic and dried-grape.

WHITE: Gavi, Timorasso, Cortese dell’Alto Monferrato

RED: Barbera d’Asti, Barbera del m.to, Colli Tortonesi Barbera, Dolcetto d’Acqui, Dolcetto d’Ovada, Ovada, Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese, Colli Tortonesi Croatina – Monleale

SPARKLING: Alta Langa – Piemonte – Asti Secco

AROMATIC: Moscato d’Asti – Asti – Brachetto d’Acqui – Acqui

DRIED-GRAPE: Strevi - Piemonte

WHITE WINES

GAVI DOCG

This wine made from 100% Cortese grapes is born with its subzones of the various Muncipalities around Gavi, embraced by the Regulations governing its production.

The wine shows a straw yellow colour sometimes with greenish hues, fresh, fruity on the nose with evident hints of green apple and hawthorn. Dry, elegant, pleasantly harmonious on the palate, as anticipated on the nose.

Excellent as aperitivo, it is ideal with fish dishes in general and in all versions, omelettes and savoury pies, cured meats and fresh cheeses.

TIMORASSO COLLI TORTONESI DOC

A rediscovered white wine, which includes ageing of 10 months after 1 December following the harvest before placing on the market. It is made exclusively from Timorasso grapes in the area of Tortona and differs from the usual freshness you would expect from a wine of this kind but immediately demonstrates its worth and structure similar to a red wine and hence suitable for long-term ageing. The straw yellow colour usually tends towards deep golden yellow. Intriguing on the nose, denoting ripe fruity, floral and mineral scents of particular finesse. The palate tells us this is a wine with an interesting body, warm, full and long. It often presents interesting mineral development. Ideal paired with starters of savoury pies, cured meats, mature cheeses, first and second courses of white meat and fish.

CORTESE DELL’ALTO MONFERRATO DOC

This is the dry white wine increasingly present in our province, made from at least 85% Cortese Grapes and the remaining 15% from other authorised white grapes in the province. Straw yellow colour, floral freshness on the nose and fruits not too ripe, fine and elegant, in the mouth appropriately acidulous, sometimes lively or sparkling, pleasant as aperitivo, with light starters and fish dishes in general and white meats.

RED WINES

BARBERA D’ASTI / DEL MONFERRATO DOCG

Barbera is the best-known wine of our province which we will summarise in a single description.

Ruby red colour verging on garnet over time, clear expressions of important red fruits, cherry, prune, blackberries, ethereal on the nose. Dry and pleasantly acidulous in the mouth, full-bodied, warm, with tendency to soften and mellow with time to please the palate.

Ideal with cheeses and cured meats, starters in general, first and second courses with sauces and/or red meat and game, such as roasted or braized meats.

DOLCETTO D’OVADA / D’ACQUI DOC

Everyday wine of our province which we summarise in a single description.

Made from a minimum of at least 85% Dolcetto grapes and the remaining 15% from authorized non-aromatic red grapes. It favours well-exposed hilly areas above 300 m. /a.s.l., white tufaceous/limestone. A vibrant red ruby colour, at times verging on purplish, great elegance, fruity with clear scents of cherry, prune, sour cherry which we find in the mouth, accompanied by a pleasant softness given by tanins which give a velvety feel and unique softness, facilitated by the acidity which is never aggressive. Interesting pairings with starters based on white cheeses and fresh cured meats, first courses of pasta dressed with meat sauces, agnolotti and second courses based on white meat and game.

OVADA DOCG

Red wine made exclusively from 100% dolcetto grapes in the area of Ovada, which requires a minimum of 12-months ageing and 20 months to be called "Riserva".

On sight it presents itself with an intense ruby red colour verging on garnate, vinous ethereal aroma, of red fruits, cherry, blackberry, spices. On the palate it is warm, full-bodied, soft and elegant, appropriately tannic. Excellent with first courses based on fresh pasta and red meat sauces and game as with second courses, truffles and mushrooms.

GRIGNOLINO DEL MONFERRATO CASALESE DOC

Its name seems to originate from "grignole, vinaccioli" (grape seeds), present in odd number in the berry. Unique red wine in the world for its particularities, Grignolino is made with 85% grignolino grapes and 15% barbera or freisa also in blends. The particular characteristics of this wine are acidity and tannins, paired with a light ruby red colour, at times verging on orange. The prevailing aromas are fruity such as apricots and flowers such as roses, connected with rare elegance. Warm and full-bodied on the palate, contrary to what one once remembered, dry, with clear hints of pepper, velvety, we could call it, dare we say it, misty. Excellent with starters such as cured meats and cheeses typically of Monferrato, omelettes and savoury pies.

SPARKLING WINES

ALTA LANGA DOCG

Denomination connected with the production of Sparkling wine made using the Classical Method from Pinot Nero and Chardonnay grapes, alone or in blends, in the White and Rosè, Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Noire versions. Minimum ageing of 30 months and 36 months for the "Riserva" version.

On sight, the colour ranges from straw yellow to gold yellow, fine and persistent foam.

On the nose, characteristic with clear notes of yeast, bread crust, white fruit and hints of rose in the Rosè version.

On the palate, crispy, harmonious and captivating.

Excellent as aperitivo and with fish, in any case good all-meal wine.

AROMATIC

MOSCATO / ASTI DOCG

Moscato has always been present in our province, owing its good fortune to that aromatic imprint which makes it unique in the world. In its Tappo raso, Asti Spumante, Asti Secco version, it is a straw yellow colour which can change from light to intense gold yellow. Its aroma recalls yellow peach, apricot, grapefruit, sage, tomato leaf, depending on the soils on which it is grown. On the palate, depending on the versions, it is fine, elegant with a strong reference to all the aromas previously mentioned.

The Asti Secco version wants to be an alternative, directed at the younger consumer, easy and delightful to drink. Ideal as aperitivo, and paired with cheeses that are not too mature.

The sweet versions are ideal with desserts or intriguing with fermented, blue and mature cheeses, in search of particular pairings.

BRACHETTO D’ACQUI / ACQUI DOCG

A sweet aromatic red wine that many envy us for thanks to its ability to attract even the most sceptical and especially the female public. Clear ruby red captivating colour with elegantly combined hints of fresh fruit and flowers (rose) on the nose, connected with fine notes of spice, making it a particularily prestigious wine. Soft, sweet and delicate on the palate, ideal to accompany the more important desserts..

DRIED-GRAPE WINE

STREVI DOC

The dried-grape wine of Strevi has established itself as one of the most important national and international dried-grape wines.

It is made from moscato grapes using a very special, long and delicate process, which allows us to enjoy it with the typical dry sweets of our area, such as amaretti, baci di dama, fruit tarts and especially with fermented, blue and mature cheeses.

The colour ranges from deep yellow to intense gold sometimes amber.

On the nose and palate, clear-cut sensations of citrus fruits, spices, dried fruits and nuts, tobacco, are always present and apparent, assembled with incomparable elegance.