Page 189 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

introducing nor thwest it al y  187

Moscato d’Asti is an excellent
aperitivo or light dessert wine Grapes of the
made from the aromatic, fruity Northwest
Moscato grape. It is light in
alcohol with a gently sweet The Nebbiolo grape is used to
finish and may have a slight produce two of Italy’s finest red
sparkle. Ideal for refreshing wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, as
the palate after a hearty well as other regional wines in
Piedmontese meal, Araldica’s the Valtellina and north of Turin.
versatile Moscato is delicious It is a difficult grape to cultivate Nebbiolo
when served well chilled. and requires a long growing grapes
season to soften its high acidity.
However, the final results are
worth it: in the Langhe region the
Nebbiolo offers complex perfumes and
a range of flavours, often encased within
strong tannins. Easier to handle and lighter,
the Dolcetto and Barbera both came from
Castiglione Falletto in the heart of Piedmont the Monferrato region originally. These
reds yield lighter, fruitier wines but, when
at their best, no less distinctive than those
Casale of the Nebbiolo. Of the white grapes, the
Chieri Monferrato LOMBARDY Moscato is Piedmont’s oldest known variety.
Moncalvo Famous for the successful sparkling Asti
Spumante, the best grapes are reserved
Voghera for Moscato d’Asti.
How to Read the Label
Alessandria
Asti The name of the wine is
shown in the centre of the The producer’s
Tortona label: bricco is local dialect for name
a good hilltop vineyard.
Barbaresco Novi
Nizza Producer’s Year of
Canelli Monferrato Ligure emblem production
Santo
Castiglione Stefano Acqui
Falletto Belbo Terme
Ovada Gavi

LANGHE LIGURIA

Sassello Genoa

Savona

Alcoholic Size of
strength bottle
The official category; The bottler’s
in this case a table name and address
wine from the
Langhe region.
Good Vintages
Barolo and Barbaresco had
Barolo is aged in wooden casks for at least two years good years in 2006, 2005,
before being put in bottles. This may be done in either 2004, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1997.
the traditional, large botte or the smaller barrique, which
imparts a strong oaky flavour to the wine.

186-187_EW_Italy.indd 187 20/03/15 10:56 am