Regional Wines - Piedmont Tips

Barolo (D.O.C.G.)

Barola is a dry, full bodied, robust red wine derived from native Nebbiolo grapes, divided into the Michet, Lampia, and Rose' varieties. The wine must age for three years with at least two years in oak or chestnut barrels. The resulting wine is garnet-red with distinctive orange shading that becomes more apparent as it ages. Barola can be stored for more than ten years, but is at its best between the 5th and 8th year of maturing. Store the bottle in a horizontal position, and remember to check the cork every now and then.
Alcohol content – 12.5%
Temperature of serving: 18-20 degree C. Make sure to uncork the bottle a few hours before serving.
Serve with roast meat, pate de fois, game or cheese

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Malvasia

Malvasia:
Malvasia di Casorzo d'Asti D.O.C.
Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco D.O.C.

This ruby to cherry-red wine is produced from 90% Malvasia grapes of various varieties, depending on the area it originates from, up to 10% of the grapes can be Barbera, Freisa and Grignolino or other aromatic grapes.
This is a sweet wine and it is recommended that you drink when young.
Alcohol content – 10.5%
Serving temperature - 8 to 10 degrees.
Serve with fruits and desserts.

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Ghemme (D.O.C.G.)

Ghemme is a dry ruby garnet wine made from 60% to 85% Nebbiolo grapes, 10% to 30% Vespolina and Bonarda novarese for a maximum of 15%.
It must age for 3 years with at least 20 months in oak or chestnut barrels and 9 months in refined bottles. To be labeled “Riserva” it is stored for at least four years with at least 25 months in wooden barrels and 9 months in refined bottles. This wine can be stored for 8 – 9 years.
Alcohol content – 12%. It can last for 8 to 9 years but is at its best during the first year after being bottled.
Serving temperature – 18-20 degrees.
Serve with roasts, hard cheeses.

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Grignolino

Grignolino:
Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese D.O.C.
Grignolino d'Asti D.O.C.
Piemonte Grignolino D.O.C.

This clear ruby wine is produced from Grignolino grapes and may contain up to 10% of Freisa. It is a dry, lightly tannic delicate wine and is at its best when young, during the first and second year.
Alcohol content – minimum 11%
Temperature at serving – 15-16 degrees
Serve with most meals, goes especially well with white meat dishes.

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Freisa (D.O.C.)

Freisa is made entirely from Freisa grapes. It is a lovely cherry red wine (shades of light orange as it ages) with a pleasantly fresh aftertaste of raspberries. Its taste may be considered dry initially, but after a short aging it develops a soft, delicate flavor. It's subtle fragrance reminds one of roses and raspberries. Bottles of Freisa can be kept standing, and the wine should be served at a temperature of 18 degrees when young and at room temperature after 2 years.

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Barbaresco (D.O.C.G.)

Like Barolo, this wine is produced from Nebbiolo grapes of Lampia, Michet and Rose' varieties. It must age for two years, with at least one year in oak or chestnut barrels. The bottle must be stored in a horizontal position and is at its best between the 5th and 6th year of aging.
It is a dry, full-bodied wine, deep red in color with tints of orange.
Alcohol content - 12 %
Temperature of serving- 20 degrees. Uncork a few hours before serving.
Serve with grilled or roasted meat or game.

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Dolcetto

There are various varieties of Dolcetta wine made from Barbera grapes.
Barbera ranks as the most popular vine for red grapes, followed by Dolcetto, which is sometimes added to the wine in quantities of 10-15%, as well as Freisa and Grignolino. The wine may have a purple shade to it and must age for at least one year in a barrel except for the “Superiore” wines, which are aged over one year and have at least an alcohol content of 12%. These are at their best the second and third years after being bottled.
Temperate at serving – 16-20 degree C.
Serve with sausages, peppers, polenta (corn), gnocchi, roast and grilled meat.

Some popular varieties of Dolcetta:
Dolcetto delle Langhe Monregalesi (D.O.C.)
Dolcetto d'Acqui (D.O.C.)
Dolcetto d'Alba D.O.C.
Dolcetto d'Asti (D.O.C.)
Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba/Diano d'Alba (D.O.C.)
Dolcetto di Dogliani D.O.C.
Dolcetto d'Ovada D.O.C.

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Gattinara (D.O.C.G.)

Gattinara is a garnet-red dry wine (with a characteristic bitter after-taste) made from the Nebbiolo variety of grapes, but sometimes may contain up to 10% of Bonarda di Gattinara grapes. This wine must age for a minimum of three years with at least one year in oak or chestnut barrels. To earn the name “Riserva” it must age for four years, with two years in wooden barrels. It can be kept for ten years or longer -- the bottle must be stored in a horizontal position.
Alcohol content – 12.5 %.
Serve with red meat, poultry, game, or hard cheeses.

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