Piemont

DOC for red wine in the Piemont region in Italy. The zone has a vineyard area of 9.600 hectares, and includes 116 communes in the province of Asti and 51 communes in the province of Alessandria. The wine is available in Secco and Abboccato versions, and is a varietal wine made from the Barbera grape (85-100%), it may contain any of the following: Dolcetto, Freisa and Grignolino (up to a total of 15%). If it has a minimum alcohol level of 12,5% val., and has been matured for a year (of which six months in barrel) it may be called Superiore. This may then also bear the name of one of the three sub-zones Colli Astiani or also Astiano (here the content of Barbera must be a minimum of 90%), Nizza or Tinella if it originates from the named communes resp. areas. See also under Barbera d´Alba and Barbera del Monferrato.