Description
The Monferrato PDO is reserved for the following typologies of wine: White, Red and Rosé (Claret or Ciaret) and Novello. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety and geographical specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Monferrato PDO is within the territory of numerous municipalities in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria, in the Piedmont region.
Blends
White: Grape originating from vineyards made up of one or more non-aromatic white grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the Piedmont region. Red (incl. Novello): Grape originating from vineyards made up of one or more non-aromatic similarly coloured grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the Piedmont region.Monferrato. Chiaretto or Ciaret: min. 85% Barbera and/or Bonarda Piemontese and/or Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Dolcetto and/or Freisa and/or Grignolino and/or Pinot Nero and/or Nebbiolo, alone or combined, with the possible addition of other non-aromatic grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%.
Description of product typologies
Monferrato PDO Bianco is straw-yellow in colour; the impact on the nose is intense, with floral and fruity fragrances leading to hints of acacia; it is intense, dry and at times lively on the palate. Monferrato PDO Rosso is red in colour; the nose reveals spicy hints which immerge during maturation in wooden barrels; it is fresh and smooth on the palate, with a significant presence of fruit, balsamic and sapidity. Monferrato PDO Chiaretto (Claret)or Ciaret (Rosé) is pink or pale ruby-red in colour; the nose is delicate, with fragrances of strawberry and raspberry; it is dry and harmonious on the palate, with a note of freshness. Monferrato PDO Novello is ruby-red in colour with purplish highlights; on the nose is fruity, persistent; it is fresh and harmonious on the palate.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Monferrato PDO can be accompanied by the sub-geographical designation Monferrato PDO Casalese, followed by the specification Cortese, which is reserved for white wine produced in the Province of Alessandria with grapes originating from the Cortese grape variety for at least 85% and with the possible addition of other non-aromatic white grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the region of Piedmont, maximum 15%. Monferrato PDO Casalese Cortese has a pale straw-yellow colour, at times tending towards greenish; the nose is smooth, offering aromas of white fleshy fruit, with balsamic and floral hints; it is smooth and balanced on the palate, fresh and with a slightly bitter finish.
Grape variety specifications
Monferrato Dolcetto (incl. Novello): min. 85% Dolcetto, pure or with the addition of non-aromatic grape berries similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the Piedmont region. Monferrato Freisa (incl. Novello): min. 85% Freisa, pure or with the addition of non-aromatic red grape berries suitable for cultivation in the Piedmont region. Monferrato Nebbiolo (incl. Superiore): min. 90% Nebbiolo, pure or with the addition of non-aromatic red grape berries suitable for cultivation in the Piedmont region. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin.