Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Soils derived from Miocene marls (Langhian–Burdigalian), light in colour and medium-textured, on hills above 400 m.
• Hills with elevations higher than the rest of the northern Asti area, with steep slopes; woodland on the more poorly exposed aspects tempers summer heat.
• A small ampelographic enclave encompassing aromatic dark-berried varieties (Malvasia di Schierano, Malvasia Nera) and Freisa, which subsequently spread to other parts of Piedmont.

• Varieties exclusive to the area: Malvasia di Schierano and Malvasia Nera (aromatic dark-berried), with a traditional blending component of Freisa of up to 15%.
• San Giovanni Bosco, son of winegrowers from the Castelnuovo area, is said to have written a now-lost popular guide, 'L'enologo italiano'.

• Ruby red with violet highlights, a characteristic and aromatic bouquet, and a sweet, delicate palate: the defining traits of the aromatic dark-berried varieties Malvasia di Schierano and Malvasia Nera.
• Three wine types are permitted — sweet, lightly sparkling (frizzante), or fully sparkling (spumante) — with an optional traditional blending component of Freisa of up to 15%.

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-A1201
• Official trade body site — Consorzio Barbera d'Asti e Vini del Monferrato