Region: Piemonte
History: Established as a DOC in 1970
Vineyard Area: 700 ha / 1,729 acres (2013, V)
Production: 18,275 hl (total 2013/14, V); avg. 202,250 cases bottled annually
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Nebbiolo
Styles and Wine Composition:
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): 100% Nebbiolo
- Superiore (Rosso)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante Rosé (RoSp, RoSpSw): 100% Nebbiolo
- Spumante (RdSp, RdSpSw): 100% Nebbiolo
Significant Production Rules:
- Maximum vineyard elevation: 650 m (2,130 ft)
- Spumante and Spumante Rosé may be made by either the Metodo Classico (wines undergo second fermentation in bottles) or the Charmat (aka Martinotti) method (fermented in pressurized tanks)
- Minimum alcohol level: (Add 0.5% if a vineyard is named on the label) 11.5% for Spumante and Spumante Rosé; 12.0% for Rosso; 12.5% for Superiore
- Aging: For Spumante and Spumante Rosé, minimum 6 months (ERD = May 1, V+1); for Rosso, minimum 12 months (ERD = November 1, V+1); for Superiore, minimum 18 months, including 6 months in barrel (ERD = May 1, V+2)
