The best wines from Monferrato in Italy

Once the hills around Monferrato were islands in the Adriatic Sea. Today they are vineyards that produce one of Italy's most sought-after aperitif and dessert wines: Moscato d'Asti. A soft sparkling wine with a lush perfume of nutmeg and orange blossom. Red in Monferrato is mainly made from the Barbera grape.

Moscato d'Asti and Brachetto d'Acqui

The Moscato d'Asti from the Moscato Bianco grape comes in different quality levels, which can far exceed the qualification of table wine. The Spumante is the best and has been made here since the nineteenth century according to the traditional method with a second fermentation in the bottle. Most grapes are sold to large winemakers. Only a few winegrowers make the wine from their own grapes.

Of much more recent date is its red counterpart: the Brachetto d'Acqui. Although the Brachetto grape was already cultivated in the region in Roman times, it has only been since the 1960s that a slightly sweet sparkling wine has been made from it, which combines perfectly with desserts of fresh (red) fruit.

Barbera d'Asti

The Barbera grape has been cultivated in the hills around Monferrato since the 13th century, and it can therefore be called indigenous to the region without a doubt. The Barbera produces spicy red wine that is reminiscent of sour cherries in its aroma and taste. Especially since winemakers have been able to soften the acids with barriques and 'malolactic fermentation', the Barbera has quickly become more popular. The Barbera from Asti is lighter in colour and more frivolous in taste than from Alba, which is a little further away.

Cortese, Freisa, Grignolino and Ruchè

In addition to the sweetness of the Moscato and the red of the Barbera, good wine is made in the region from Cortese, Freisa, Grignolino and Ruchè grapes. The white Cortese grows around the town of the same name, among other places, and has its own DOCG there: Cortese di Gavi. The white Freisa has been somewhat forgotten over time, but can produce beautiful concentrated white wines, which are sometimes matured in wood. The Grignolino produces light red, fresh wines that are drunk young. The Ruchè is obscure and has barely escaped extinction, so that we can still enjoy its lush aroma of red fruit and rose hips.