DOC area for red wines in the Italian region of Piedmont. The zone covers 727 hectares of vineyards in 214 municipalities in the two provinces of Asti (116) and Alessandria (98). If the grapes come from classified vineyards, Vigna plus site can be indicated. The wine is produced from the Barbera variety (at least 85%), as well as Freisa and/or Grignolino and/or Dolcetto (maximum 15%). It must have an alcohol content of at least 11.5% by volume, or 12% by volume if the vineyard is named. No ageing period is prescribed. There is also a Frizzante (no indication of vineyard possible). The wine type Barbera del Monferrato Superiore with higher alcohol content and minimum maturation period was classified as an independent DOCG area in 2008. Two other areas in Piedmont with Barbera-dominated red wines are Barbera d'Asti and Barbera d'Alba.
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Markus J. Eser
Weinakademiker und Herausgeber „Der Weinkalender“