The Province of Alessandria and Its Wines
The province of Alessandria can boast an ancient winemaking tradition, highlighting it in five macro-areas listed below in no particular order: ACQUI, OVADA, GAVI, TORTONA, and CASALE M.to.
Each of these regions contains unique, special wines that we will now discover or rediscover.
- ACQUESE: Moscato d'Asti – Asti – Strevi – Brachetto d'Acqui – Acqui – Barbera d'Asti – Barbera del M.to – Alta Langa
- OVADESE: Dolcetto d'Ovada – Ovada – Barbera del M.to – Cortese dell'Alto M.to – Alta Langa
- GAVIESE: Gavi – Dolcetto d'Ovada
- TORTONESE: Colli Tortonesi Barbera – Timorasso – Croatina – Cortese
- CASALESE: Grignolino del Monte Casalese – Barbera d'Asti – Barbera del Monte
Let's now look at them individually by variety. and by color, dividing them into white, red, still, sparkling, aromatic, and passito.
- WHITE WINES: Gavi, Timorasso, Cortese dell'Alto M.to
- RED WINES: Barbera d'Asti, Barbera del M.to, Colli Tortonesi Barbera, Dolcetto d'Acqui, Dolcetto d'Ovada, Ovada, Grignolino del M.to Casalese, Colli Tortonesi Croatina – Monleale
- SPUMANTE WINES: Alta Langa – Piedmont – Asti Secco
- AROMATIC WINES: Moscato d'Asti – Asti – Brachetto d'Acqui – Acqui
- PASSITO: Strevi - Piedmont
WHITE WINES
GAVI DOCG
This wine, made from 100% Cortese grapes, originates from the subzones of the various municipalities around Gavi, included in the regulations that regulate its production.
It has a straw yellow color, sometimes with greenish reflections. The nose is fresh and fruity, with evident hints of green apple and hawthorn. On the palate, it is Dry, elegant, pleasantly harmonious, as anticipated on the nose.
Excellent as an aperitif, it pairs perfectly with fish dishes in general and in all versions, omelettes and vegetable pies, cured meats, and fresh cheeses.
TIMORASSO COLLI TORTONESI DOC
A rediscovered white wine, aged for 10 months after December 1st following the harvest, produced in the Tortona area exclusively from Timorasso grapes. It differs from the freshness usually expected from a wine of this type, but immediately demonstrates the substance and structure of a red wine, making it suitable for long aging. The straw yellow color usually tends toward deep golden yellow. Its nose is intriguing, revealing ripe fruit, floral, and mineral notes of particular finesse. The palate immediately tells us that we are faced with a wine with an interesting body, warm, full, and long. It often has a very interesting mineral evolution. It pairs perfectly with savory pie appetizers, cured meats, aged cheeses, and first and second courses of white meat and fish.
CORTESE DELL’ALTO MONFERRATO DOC
This has always been the most common dry white wine in our province, made from at least 85% Cortese grapes and the remaining 15% from other white grapes authorized in the province. Straw yellow in color, the nose reveals floral freshness and hints of under-ripe fruit. Fine and elegant, with a pleasantly acidic palate, sometimes lively or sparkling. It is pleasant as an aperitif, with light appetizers, fish dishes in general, and white meats.
RED WINES
BARBERA D’ASTI / DEL MONFERRATO DOCG
The Barbera, the flagship wine of our province, can be summarized in a single description.
Ruby red in color tending towards garnet over time. Clear, ethereal expressions of bold red fruits, cherry, plum, blackberry on the nose. On the palate, it is dry and pleasantly acidic, full-bodied, and warm, tending to soften and refine over time, pleasing the palate.
Great with cheeses and cured meats, appetizers in general, first and second courses with sauces and/or based on red meats and game, such as roasts and braised meats.
DOLCETTO D’OVADA / D’ACQUI DOC
Dolcetto is the everyday wine of our province, which we summarize in a single description.
Made from at least 85% Dolcetto grapes and the remaining 15% from authorized non-aromatic red grapes. It prefers well-exposed hilly areas above 300 meters above sea level, with tuffaceous/calcareous white wines. It presents itself to the eye with a bright ruby red color, sometimes tending towards purple, on the nose it immediately presents a great elegance, fruity with clear hints of cherry, plum, black cherry which we then find in the mouth, accompanied by a pleasant softness given by tannins that give a velvety sensation and a unique smoothness, also facilitated by an acidity that is never aggressive. Interesting pairings include appetizers of white cheeses and fresh cured meats, pasta dishes with meat sauces, agnolotti, and main courses of white meat and game.
OVADA DOCG
A red wine made exclusively from 100% Dolcetto grapes from the Ovada area, which requires aging for at least 12 months, and 20 months under the "Riserva" label.
It has an intense ruby red color tending towards garnet, with a vinous, ethereal aroma of red fruits, cherry, blackberry, and spices. On the palate, it is warm, full-bodied, soft, and elegant, with just the right amount of tannins. Excellent with fresh pasta dishes and red meat and game sauces, as well as main courses, truffles, and mushrooms.
GRIGNOLINO DEL MONFERRATO CASALESE DOC
Its name appears to derive from the "grignole," grape seeds, present in odd numbers in the grape. A unique red wine in the world for its particular characteristics, Grignolino is made from 85% Grignolino grapes and 15% Barbera or Freisa, also blended. This wine's distinctive characteristics are its acidity and tannins, combined with a pale ruby red color, sometimes tending toward orange. The aroma is predominantly fruity, such as apricot, and floral, such as rose, united by a rare elegance. On the palate, it is Warm, full-bodied, contrary to what we once remembered, dry, with clear hints of pepper, velvety—we might even dare to call it hazy. Excellent pairings with appetizers such as platters of cured meats and typical Monferrato cheeses, omelettes, and savory pies.
SPUMANTE
ALTA LANGA DOCG
A designation associated with the production of Classic Method Sparkling Wine obtained from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, alone or blended, in the Bianco and Rosé versions, Blanc de Blanc, and Blanc de Noire. The minimum aging period is 30 months and 36 months for the "Riserva" version.
It presents a color ranging from straw yellow to golden yellow, with a fine and persistent mousse.
The nose is characteristic with clear notes of yeast, bread crust, white fruit, and hints of rose in the Rosé version.
On the palate, it is Crisp, harmonious, and captivating.
Excellent as an aperitif and with seafood, but also a good accompaniment to any meal.
AROMATICS
MOSCATO / ASTI DOCG
Moscato, which has always been present in our province, owes its success to the aromatic signature that makes it unique in the world. With its versions: Corkscrew, Asti Spumante, and Asti Secco, it has a straw yellow color that can range from pale to intense golden yellow. Its aromas recall yellow peach, apricot, grapefruit, sage, and tomato leaves, depending on the soil from which it originates. On the palate, depending on the version, it is Fine, elegant, with a strong recall of all the olfactory sensations previously mentioned.
The Asti Secco version is intended as a direct alternative to younger consumers, easy and pleasant to drink, and ideal for aperitifs and pairings with moderately mature cheeses.
The sweet versions, on the other hand, are ideal for moments when desserts are in the spotlight, or are intriguing with fermented, blue, and mature cheeses, seeking unique pairings.
BRACHETTO D'ACQUI / ACQUI DOCG
A sweet, aromatic red wine that many envy for its ability to attract even the most skeptical, especially women. Its captivating, light ruby red color reveals fresh aromas of fruit and flowers (rose) in an elegant combination, tied together by subtle spicy notes, making it a particularly fine wine. On the palate, it is soft, sweet, and delicate, ideal for accompanying the most important desserts.
PASSITO
STREVI DOC
The Strevi Passito can be said to have established itself as one of the most prestigious passito wines. important national and international wines.
It is made from Moscato grapes and undergoes a very special, delicate, and lengthy process, which allows us to enjoy it with typical local dry desserts such as amaretti, baci di dama, fruit tarts, and especially with fermented, blue, and aged cheeses.
Its color ranges from deep yellow to intense gold, sometimes amber.
On the nose and palate, distinct sensations of citrus, spices, dried fruit and nuts, and tobacco are always present and evident, blended with unparalleled elegance.
