Brachetto d'Acqui

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The production area lies in the Alto Monferrato, spread across 26 communes in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria, with marked pedological differences between the two zones.
• In the Nizza Monferrato zone the soils are clay-rich, while in the Acqui area sandy and silty soils predominate, with a direct effect on the aromatic nuances of the grapes and wines.
• The production zone encompasses the entire territory of specific communes including Acqui Terme, Terzo, Bistagno, Strevi, and others in the province of Alessandria, as well as numerous communes in the Asti area. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The portion of the Nizza Monferrato territory included in the appellation is delimited by the Belbo torrent, encompassing only the area to the right of the watercourse. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The vocational character of the territory — understood as its particular topography, climatic conditions, and established viticultural expertise and traditions — has allowed Brachetto to be identified over the years as the variety best suited to the local environment.

• The naturalist Gallesio described Brachetto in 1817 as a lightly coloured, alcoholic dessert wine, comparable to Port or Sherry, and successfully traded in South America.
• In the 1950s the producer Arturo Bersano developed a sparkling Brachetto elaborated in an autoclave by the Charmat method, contributing to the variety's revival after the production decline caused by phylloxera.
• Cantine Spinola were already producing a dry and off-dry version of Brachetto, recognised at oenological competitions between 1964 (dry Brachetto) and 1987 (semi-dry rosé).

• The wine was historically described as lightly coloured and alcoholic, capable of acquiring with age a flavour reminiscent of Port or Sherry.
• Brachetto belongs to the category of sweet, aromatic red wines, with a distinctive bouquet, moderately alcoholic and sugary, and not deeply coloured.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Italy

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-A1382
• Official trade body site — Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Acqui