Monferrato DOC expands to include Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo Superiore

By Lisa Riley

Published: 30 November, 2018

The Consorzio Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato has expanded to include two new styles and labels - Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo Superiore.

The expansion follows the consortium receiving unanimous approval from the Comitato Vitivinicolo Nazionale to modify the specifications of the Monferrato DOC appellation.

Following the recent approval, the industry body said it has counted more than 500 potential wineries with an interest in producing, and a growing area of around 600 hectares spread over 116 municipalities in Asti and another 113 in Alessandria.

The approval was an “important achievement” in the protection and valorization of Nebbiolo wine production, which has a long history in the Monferrato area, said Filippo Mobrici, president of the Consorzio Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato.

“Finally, producers of Monferrato can indicate on labels the name of the Nebbiolo vine. It was a complex job that required great team work, a process that involved several stakeholders along the supply chain, and we are very proud that the quality Monferrato Nebbiolo is being recognised,” he said.

One of the Consorzio’s primary mandates was to create the "ideal conditions" for winemakers and farmers to make a fair wage - a necessary measure to protect the way of life in the region’s UNESCO World Heritage hills, he added.

“The inclusion of the Monferrato Nebbiolo labels is a big step in the right direction and is a great success from the concentrated work done regarding the territory.”

The first official harvest of the new appellation will take place in 2019 with the yields being limited to 9000kg per hectare for Nebbiolo and 8000kg per hectare for Nebbiolo Superiore.

The ageing periods for Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo Superiore is 12 and 18 months respectively, with a minimum of 6 months in wood, meaning the first labels will be released on the market in 2020.

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