Albugnano

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Soils on Miocene marls (Langhian–Burdigalian), light-coloured and medium-textured, of marine origin dating back to the Miocene.
• Elevations exceeding 400 m, among the highest in the northern Asti area, with steep slopes and vineyards sited on the best-exposed aspects.
• Continental climate tempered by woodland cover and altitude; steady summer breezes promote the diurnal temperature swings that benefit Nebbiolo.
• Nebbiolo ripening occurs a few days earlier here than in the Langhe (Barolo zone), an effect of altitude and local microclimate.
• Rainfall above the zonal average on the upper hills of Monferrato, linked to the aspect and elevation of the ridges. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Pier De Crescenzi mentions Nebbiolo in the Asti area as early as the fourteenth century; the variety appears in the land registers of Chieri during the same period.
• Following post-phylloxera replanting, Nebbiolo retreated from the rest of the Asti area, surviving only in this small enclave.

• Diurnal temperature swings promote sugar accumulation, slow acid degradation, and aromatic development in ripening Nebbiolo. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Miocene marne (Langhian–Burdigalian) combined with high-altitude woodland → a cool climate favourable to Nebbiolo, which builds aromatic complexity through diurnal temperature variation. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-A1066
• Official trade body site — Consorzio Barbera d'Asti e Vini del Monferrato