Winemaker Notes
In recent years, "Braida" has expanded and grown, still faithful to the philosophy of Giacomo and Anna Bologna and to their way of understanding life, land, wine and friendships. In 1990, after Giacomo’s premature death, Anna and her children Raffaella and Giuseppe (nicknamed Beppe) carried on and concluded the projects he had initiated. Since the early year 2010 the winery is run by Raffaella and Giuseppe Bologna, representing the third generation of winemakers on the "Braida" winery. Raffaella is responsible for sales and marketing, while Beppe is in charge of the wine making and managing the agricultural part. Wine is their life. They enthusiastically champion wine, its culture and the land on which it grows. This love has also conquered their partners who have become active members of the family: Cristina, Beppe's wife and mother of Greta and Giacomo, works in administration, while Raffaella’s husband, Norbert Reinisch-Bologna, an Austrian doctor, is Braida's export director. Decisions about important projects and investments are always taken jointly, endeavouring to produce high quality wine and supported by a motivated team that tackles daily tasks with energy and enthusiasm.
Recognized as the source of the best Barbera in all of Italy, Asti is a province (as well as major city) in Piedmont, consisting of a gentle, rolling landscape with vineyards, farmland and forests alternating throughout.
Barbera d’Asti can be made in an array of styles from relatively straightforward, fruity and ready for consumption early, to the more concentrated, oak aged version with an ability to cellar impressively for 10-15 years and beyond. Some of the very best sites for Barbera in Asti are concentrated in the subzone of Nizza Monferrato. Other red varieties grown here include Freisa, Grignolino and Dolcetto, which can be bottled varietally or blended into Barbera.
Historically consumers commonly associated the Asti region with Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti, both playful, aromatic, sparkling wines made from the Muscat grape. Asti Spumante is less sweet, fully fizzy and more alcoholic (yet still clocking in at only around 9% alcohol) while Moscato d’Asti is sweeter, gently sparkling (“frizzante”) and closer to 5 or 6% alcohol. Each is produced in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh and fruity flavors of the grape, often including peach, apricot, lychee and rose petal. Asti is also the spot for the pink-hued Brachetto d'Acqui, a slightly sparkling wine ready to charm with its raspberry and rose flavors and aromas.
While Muscat comes in a wide range of styles from dry to sweet, still to sparkling and even fortified, it's safe to say it is always alluringly aromatic and delightful. The two most important versions are the noble, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, making wines of considerable quality and Muscat of Alexandria, thought to be a progeny of the former. Somm Secret—Pliny the Elder wrote in the 13th century of a sweet, perfumed grape variety so attractive to bees that he referred to it as uva apiana, or “grape of the bees.” Most likely, he was describing Muscat.