W3 Wine School

Italian Grapes

Brachetto

Brachetto

Brachetto is a black-skinned Italian wine grape from Piemonte.

Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG

The production is centered around Acqui Terme, founded by the ancient Romans in Piemonte.

The official recognition came in 1996 (DOC in 1969), when the Brachetto producers were awarded the prestigious DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin) status.

There are different styles of Brachetto d’Acqui:

Rosso, Frizzante, Spumante, and Passito must contain 100% Brachetto grapes.

Rosso must have an alcohol level of 11.5%.

Spumante cannot exceed 2.5 atmospheres pressure.

Passito grapes must be dried to achieve a potential alcohol level of 15.5%

The production method used for Spumante is known as Charmat, or Martinotti, and was invented at the end of the nineteenth century by Federico Martinotti, then the Director of the Asti Institute of Experimental Oenology.

In this process, fermentation occurs in a pressurized tank, at controlled temperatures, for a period of 30 days, during which the sugars in the must are transformed into alcohol and carbon dioxide by the yeasts. The product is then immediately bottled and marketed.

Region Piemonte

Piemonte

Black Grapes

White Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon

30% Barbera
15% Dolcetto
10% Nebbiolo
  1% Vespolina

Sauvignon

20% Moscato
  4% Cortese
  2% Arneis
  1% Timorasso


Red Wines

White Wines

Red Wine

Barbaresco
Barbera
Barbera Nizza
Barbera Superiore
Barolo
Brachetto
Dolcetto
Langhe Dolcetto
Dolcetto Dogliani
Freisa
Nebbiolo
Langhe Nebbiolo
Gattinara
Ruchè
Terre Alfieri
Vespolina
Nebbiolo Rosato

White Wine

Arneis
Cortese di Gavi
Favorita
Langhe Rossese
Roero Arneis
Terre Alfieri Arneis
Timorasso


Dessert Wines

Sparkling Wines

Aperol

Aperol
Campari
Cinzano Bianco
Cinzano Rosso
Brachetto d'Acqui
Martini Bianco
Martini Rosso

Sparkling Wine

Alta Langa
Asti Spumante
Moscato d'Asti
Barbera Frizzante
Brachetto Frizzante
Brachetto Spumante

Soil

Climate

Soil

Lime-Rich.
Calcareous Marl.

Soil

Cool/Mild Continental.
Hot and Dry Summers.
Cold and Wet Winters.
Rainy / Foggy Sping.


DOCG Regions in Piemonte


Alcohol can be addictive. Always drink in moderation.

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