Best Province of Alessandria Wine Types
This prized Italian wine is produced exclusively from the Cortese grape variety in the Province of Alessandria. The unique climate conditions and mineral-rich soil where the grapes are grown contribute to the exceptional quality of Cortese di Gavi wines.
The best examples are fresh and crisp with typical notes of white flowers and fruits such as citrus, green apples, pears, peaches, or honeydew, as well as a characteristic almond finish. The wines are well known for their balanced and moderate acidity, which makes them a perfect accompaniment to seafood and vegetable antipasti.
Asti Spumante is a fully sparkling wine produced under Asti DOCG appellation. It is made from Moscato Bianco grapes and most commonly by Charmat method, in which fermentation takes place in pressurized tanks. If it is made using the traditional method, where the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle, it is labeled Asti Spumante metodo classico.
The best examples of Asti Spumante are light, fresh, and sweet, without being cloying. Flavors and aromas are floral and fruity, reminiscent of peaches, pears, oranges, acacia, and honeysuckle. Asti Spumante wines are traditionally paired with desserts, but they also make a great aperitif and go well with charcuterie.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
This ruby red wine is produced in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria in Piedmont. The wine must be made with a minimum of 85% of Barbera grapes, while the rest may be made up with Freisa, Grignolino, and Dolcetto. Barbera del Monferrato is typically medium-bodied and comes as a dry, still wine that is less robust than other Barbera-based wines.
The wine is characterized by the notes of ripe fruit, low tannins, and well-structured acidity, which makes it work well with charcuterie, meat or tomato-based pasta dishes, and braised, grilled, or roasted meat.
Brachetto d’Acqui is an Italian appellation located in Piedmont, in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. All the wines are produced with the local Brachetto grape, and they come in several styles, including still red wine that can be lightly fizzy, as well as sparkling spumante version and the subtly sweet passito style.
The predominant style is a light-bodied ruby red wine that usually displays floral and fruity aromas reminiscent of roses, strawberries, and raspberries. These wines are best enjoyed young, and they are usually paired with appetizers or desserts, but they also make an excellent aperitif and can also be used as an ingredient in long drinks.
Timorasso is a native grape from Piedmont that is nowadays mostly planted in Alessandria. The grape was on the verge of extinction, but now it makes some of the most exciting Italian wines. The wines produced from Timorasso are full-bodied, high in acidity, and have good aging potential.
The aromas are floral and fruity, reminiscent of citrus, apples, and peaches. As they age, they tend to gain honeyed, nutty, and spicy notes, along with some minerality. Three decades ago, Timorasso was almost extinct, primarily because of phylloxera and two world wars.
Ovada is an Italian appellation located in Alessandria that produces complex and concentrated red wines exclusively from Dolcetto, a variety that is locally known as Uva di Ovada (the Ovada grape). The appellation was once a part of the DOC appellation, but it was established as a separate DOCG in 2008.
The minimum alcohol level for DOCG Ovada is 12.5%. These wines display fruity and floral aromas, often reminiscent of cherries, blackberries, plums, blueberries, violets, and roses. They should also have an interesting, subtly bitter, almond-like note on the palate.
Produced in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria in Piedmont, these raisin wines belong to a larger Brachetto d’Acqui appellation. They are made with Brachetto grapes and with the passito method—in which the grapes are dried before they are made into wine.
The process results in velvety and complex dessert wines with floral and fruity aromas reminiscent of roses and strawberries. They occasionally have subtle musky or woody nuances. These rare wines are best paired with desserts and cheese.
These sparkling wines fall under the larger Brachetto d’Acqui appellation—a wine region located in Piedmont (provinces of Asti and Alessandria) that produces wine with the local Brachetto grape. Sparkling Brachetto wines are produced with a Charmat method in which the second fermentation takes place in pressurized tanks.
These lively wines will usually display strawberry and raspberry aromas while their finish is long and aromatic. They are usually paired with pastries and fruit-based desserts, but they are also an excellent match to dry or fresh fruit and chocolate.
Best Province of Alessandria Wine Producers
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2024
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2017
BEST Cantine Volpi Wines
Best Province of Alessandria Wines
AWARDS
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2021
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2017
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold
2024
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