Brachetto d'Acqui
Encyclopedia
Brachetto d'Acqui is a red Italian wine
that is classified as a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) since 1996 and previously a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) region since 1969. It is produced in the Piedmont wine region around Acqui Terme
in the province of Alessandria
with some overlap into the province of Asti
. The wine is produced from the Brachetto
grape, a variety that is believed to be native to Piedmont
, and can be still or sparkling with usually some sweetness.
The exact origins of the wine are unknown. While the Brachetto grape is believed to be native to Piedmont (with the Monferrato hills and the area around Asti
being the most likely home of the grape), some ampelographers have speculated as early as the late 19th century that the grape might actually be French in origin.
Still, the production of a sweet, frothy red wine from this region has long tradition. In the Italian theater tradition of Commedia dell'arte
, the mask character of Gianduja
da Gioan d'laduja or Giovanni of the Jug, which represented Turin
and Piedmont
is said to have preferred Brachetto d'Acqui among all others. Even prior, in the times of Ancient Rome, writers were describing a wine Gallia Cisalpina (northern Italy) known as vinum acquense (wine of the Acqui) that was a favorite among patricians with its sweet flavors and high aromatics. Legend also had it that Julius Caesar
and Marc Antony presented Cleopatra several gourd
s of vinum acquense as a gift. Also, according to legend, the Pharaoh
believed that the wine had the power to unleash the passions of her lovers.
rivers as they flow into the Tanaro. The communes of Acqui Terme and Strevi
are at the heart of the winemaking region.
, Pinot nero, Freisa
, Grignolino
and Ruché
) could be blended in with limited percentages. While the minimum alcohol levels for the finished wines must be at least 5% for frizzante and 6% for spumante the grapes used for Brachetto d'Acqui must attain enough ripeness for potential alcohol of at least 11.5% for frizzante and 12% for spumante (a brix
sugar level between 21–22°Bx).
Mary Ewing-Mulligan
describes Brachetto d'Acqui very aromatic sweet red wine that can have floral and fruit notes similar to Moscato d'Asti
and Lambrusco
.
Italian wine
Italian wine is wine produced in Italy, a country which is home to some of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Italy is the world's largest wine producer, responsible for approximately one-fifth of world wine production in 2005. Italian wine is exported largely around the world and has...
that is classified as a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) since 1996 and previously a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) region since 1969. It is produced in the Piedmont wine region around Acqui Terme
Acqui Terme
Acqui Terme is a city and comune of Piedmont, northern Italy, in the province of Alessandria. It is c. 35 km SSW of Alessandria...
in the province of Alessandria
Province of Alessandria
The Province of Alessandria is an Italian province, with a population of some 430,000, which forms the southeastern part of the region of Piedmont. The provincial capital is the city of Alessandria....
with some overlap into the province of Asti
Province of Asti
The Province of Asti is a province in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Its capital is the city of Asti. To the north west it borders on the province of Turin; to the south west it borders on the province of Cuneo. To the east it borders on the province of Alessandria, while in the south it...
. The wine is produced from the Brachetto
Brachetto
Brachetto is a red Italian wine grape variety grown predominantly in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. At one time the grape was thought to be related to the French wine grape Braquet, but recent thought among ampelographers is that the two are distinct varieties...
grape, a variety that is believed to be native to Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
, and can be still or sparkling with usually some sweetness.
History
Asti
Asti is a city and comune of about 75,000 inhabitants located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, about 55 kilometres east of Turin in the plain of the Tanaro River...
being the most likely home of the grape), some ampelographers have speculated as early as the late 19th century that the grape might actually be French in origin.
Still, the production of a sweet, frothy red wine from this region has long tradition. In the Italian theater tradition of Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
, the mask character of Gianduja
Gianduja (commedia dell'arte)
Gianduja is one of the masks of the Italian Commedia dell'Arte, typically representing the town of Turin .The mask depicts an honest peasant of Piedmontese countryland, with a certain inclination for wine , gastronomy and beautiful girls, while strictly faithful to his lover Giacometta, who is...
da Gioan d'laduja or Giovanni of the Jug, which represented Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
and Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
is said to have preferred Brachetto d'Acqui among all others. Even prior, in the times of Ancient Rome, writers were describing a wine Gallia Cisalpina (northern Italy) known as vinum acquense (wine of the Acqui) that was a favorite among patricians with its sweet flavors and high aromatics. Legend also had it that Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
and Marc Antony presented Cleopatra several gourd
Gourd
A gourd is a plant of the family Cucurbitaceae. Gourd is occasionally used to describe crops like cucumbers, squash, luffas, and melons. The term 'gourd' however, can more specifically, refer to the plants of the two Cucurbitaceae genera Lagenaria and Cucurbita or also to their hollow dried out shell...
s of vinum acquense as a gift. Also, according to legend, the Pharaoh
Pharaoh
Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace...
believed that the wine had the power to unleash the passions of her lovers.
Wine region
The DOCG zone of Brachetto d'Acqui include the Monferrato hills that extend southeast from the town of Asti with some overlap into the Asti DOCG zone. The region includes the valleys along the Bormida and BelboBelbo
The Belbo is a river of southern Piedmont, Italy. It is a right-side tributary of the Tanaro.The Belbo rises in the Langhe, on the borders between Piedmont and Liguria in the hills of Montezemolo....
rivers as they flow into the Tanaro. The communes of Acqui Terme and Strevi
Strevi
Strevi is a comune and small town in the province of Alessandria, Italy, located immediately north-east of Acqui Terme. It is one of the principle winemaking communes of the Italian DOCG wine Brachetto d'Acqui....
are at the heart of the winemaking region.
DOCG regulations
Under DOCG regulations Brachetto d'Acqui must be produced from 100% Brachetto grapes that were harvested at no more than 8 tonnes/hectare. Prior to promotion to DOCG status, other red Piedmont varieties (such as DolcettoDolcetto
Dolcetto is a black wine grape variety widely grown in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. The Italian word dolcetto means "little sweet one", but it is not certain that the name originally carried any reference to the grape’s sugar levels: it is possible that it derives from the name of the...
, Pinot nero, Freisa
Freisa
Freisa is a red Italian wine grape variety grown in the Piedmont region of north-west Italy, primarily in Monferrato and in the Langhe, but also further north in the provinces of Turin and Biella. Freisa is a vigorous and productive vine whose round, blue-black grapes are harvested in early...
, Grignolino
Grignolino
Grignolino is a red Italian wine grape variety commonly grown in the Piedmont region. It makes light colored wines and rosés with very fruity aromas, strong acidity and tannins. The name Grignolino derives from the word grignole which means "many pips" in the local Piedmontese dialect of the Asti...
and Ruché
Ruché
Ruché is a red Italian wine grape variety from the Piedmont region. It is largely used in making Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato, a small production red varietal wine which was granted Denominazione di Origine Controllata status by presidential decree on October 22, 1987...
) could be blended in with limited percentages. While the minimum alcohol levels for the finished wines must be at least 5% for frizzante and 6% for spumante the grapes used for Brachetto d'Acqui must attain enough ripeness for potential alcohol of at least 11.5% for frizzante and 12% for spumante (a brix
Brix
Degrees Brix is the sugar content of an aqueous solution.One degree Brix is 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of solution and represents the strength of the solution as percentage by weight . If the solution contains dissolved solids other than pure sucrose, then the °Bx is only approximate the...
sugar level between 21–22°Bx).
Wine styles
Master of WineMaster of Wine
Master of Wine is a qualification issued by The Institute of Masters of Wine in the United Kingdom...
Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Mary Ewing-Mulligan is an American author, wine educator and Master of Wine, the first American woman to achieve this accreditation. She has been the director of the school International Wine Center since 1984, and is executive director of the U.S. programs for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust...
describes Brachetto d'Acqui very aromatic sweet red wine that can have floral and fruit notes similar to Moscato d'Asti
Moscato d'Asti
Moscato d'Asti is a "Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita" sparkling white wine produced mainly in the province of Asti, north-west Italy, and in smaller nearby regions in the provinces of Alessandria and Cuneo. The wine is sweet and low in alcohol, and often enjoyed with dessert. ...
and Lambrusco
Lambrusco
Lambrusco is the name of both a red wine grape and an Italian wine made principally from the grape. The grapes and the wine originate from four zones in Emilia-Romagna and one in Lombardy, principally around the central provinces of Modena, Parma, Reggio nell'Emilia, and Mantua...
.