Barbera del Monferrato
Barbera del Monferrato DOC is a denomination that covers a large area that includes the territories of Asti and part of the province of Alessandria. The specification provides for the production of white and red wines with all the authorized vines in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. If at least 85% of one of the following vines is used: dolcetto or freisa, it is possible to indicate it on the label. It is a territory of ancient traditions, which produces quality wines mainly with native Piedmontese vines. The denomination is also admitted for the sparkling type, the modern sparkling wine counterpart of the "lively" version that the producers used to release after having refermented in the bottle those wines that in March still contained some sugary residue. Since 2008, the denomination Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG was established, a wine created to highlight the territorial preciousness, obtained from the most ripe bunches and subjected to an aging period of at least 14 months, of which at least 6 are spent in oak barrels.