Winemaker Notes
Brachetto is best known for its sparkling sweet versions from the Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG but it also has a history as a dry wine. This aromatic red has copious floral notes of fresh rose petals along with plump berry fruit. Italians love these bittersweet wines with local salumi and cheese and Anthos was Matteo’s favorite wine for everyday drinking at the table. Among the complex aromatic notes are quinine and gentian and other flavors found in the Barolo Chinato wines, vermouths and amari so popular in Northern Italy. With lively acid, moderate alcohol and no noticeable tannins this is a fresh and fun wine that is a friendly partner for all types of Italian cuisine.
Attracting the most glory, prestige and fame to the Piedmont region, Nebbiolo in all of its expressions—Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Ghemme and Gattinara—creates a complex wine, truly unique for its delicate qualities combined with strength and a great potential to improve over time.
But Nebbiolo isn’t all there is to red wine from Piedmont! Barbera is the most planted variety and historically most popular as a dependable, food-friendly, everyday wine.
Beyond these two, a surprising number of red varieties call Piedmont their home. Worth a try include Dolcetto for its bold concentration and aromas of spice cake. Other grapes to investigate include Freisa, Croatina, Brachetto, Grignolino and Pelaverga.