Brachetto d'Acqui (Italy)
Brachetto is a red Italian wine grape from Piemonte.
In Piemonte, the grape is vinified as semi sparkling red wine (Frizzante), much like Lambrusco, a sparkling wine (Spumante), a Rosé wine, and as a dessert wine (Passito).
This card describes the Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG Rosso (Frizzante).
Typical Flavors
 Wild Strawberry |
 Wild Cherry |
 Black Cherry |
 Blueberry |
 Blackberry Jam |
 Violets |
 Red Roses |
 Orange Blossom |
 Rhubarb |
 Dried Herbs |
 Grape Juice |
 Soil |
Wild berry and floral flavors are typical for Brachetto.
Profile
Brachetto is fruity, acidic and fizzy, like Barbera meets Champagne:
| BODY | Light | ||
| TANNINS | Light | ||
| FRUIT | High | ||
| ACIDITY | High | ||
| |||
Food Pairing
 Olive Oil |
 Antipasti |
 Ham |
 Salami |
 Pasta |
 Pizza |
 Sandwich |
 Hamburger |
 Chicken |
 Rabbit |
 Pork |
 Veal |
Brachetto pairs well with International Cuisine and Street Food.
Perfect for a brunch.
Pairing Suggestions
Excellent Pairing:
Emilia Romagna and International Cuisine. Tapas.
Spicy and Ethnic Food. Indian.
Spaghetti Bolognese. Bolognese Sauce.
Pasta. Ravioli. Lasagne. Tortelli. Tortellini.
Prosciutto di Parma (Parma Ham). Salumi.
Cured Meat. Pulled Pork Wraps. BBQ Ribs.
Sandwich. Pizza. Hamburger.
Poultry. Rabbit. Veal.
Fried Vegetables.
Cheese:
Cheese. Parmigiano. Grana.
Emilia Romagna Specialities:
Gnocco Fritto (Fried Bread).
Tigelle (Flatbread).
Cappelletti (Fresh Pasta Stuffed with Meat).
Tortelloni di Zucca (Pumpkin Ravioli).
Sweet Brachetto loves fruity desserts.
Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG
Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG is produced around Acqui Terme in Piemonte.
Brachetto got the DOCG status in 1996 (DOC in 1969).
Rosso, Spumante, and Passito must contain a minimum of 100% Brachetto grapes
Rosso must have an alcohol level of 11.5%.
Spumante cannot exceed 2.5 atmospheres pressure.
Passito grapes must be dried to achieve a potential alcohol level of 15.5%
The Ideal Glass
The Bordeaux glass is perfect for a bodied red wine.
It is taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl.
The large size of the glass allows the bouquet to develop. It smooths out rough edges, plays down tannins, and allows the wines to achieve balance.
The slimmer bowl sends the wine directly to the back of the mouth for maximum taste.
Piemonte (Piedmont)
Piemonte has been an important wine province since Roman times. The area is influenced both culturally and climatically by the Alps in the north, and the Ligurian coast in the south.
Red Wines:
Barbaresco
Barbera
Barbera Superiore
Barolo
Brachetto
Dolcetto
Dolcetto Dogliani
Nebbiolo
Nizza
Gattinara
Ruchè
Terre Alfieri
Vespolina
White Wines:
Arneis
Cortese di Gavi
Favorita
Langhe Rossese
Roero Arneis
Terre Alfieri Arneis
Timorasso
Rosé Wines:
Sparkling:
Piemonte
Nebbiolo (the power of the Barolo and Barbaresco) is the most famous grape of Piemonte, followed by the red grapes Barbera and Dolcetto.
For whites, Cortese and Arneis are the most popular grapes.
For dessert, the off-dry, sparkling Moscato d'Asti is the queen.
The most important wine regions are:
- Asti (Barbera d'Asti)
- Langhe (Nebbiolo, Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera di Alba, Dolcetto, Roero)
- Monferrato (Barbera del Monferrat, Nizza, Cortese di Gavi)
- North (Gattinara, Ghemme)
Piemonte's DOCG regions:
- Alta Langa (Metodo Classico)
- Asti (100% Moscato)
- Barbaresco (100 %Nebbiolo)
- Barbera d'Asti (Min. 90% Barbera)
- Barbera del Monferrato Superiore (Min. 14 months storage)
- Barolo (100% Nebbiolo)
- Brachetto d'Acqui (100% Brachetto)
- Gavi (100% Cortese)
- Dogliani Superiore (100% Dolcetto)
- Ovada Superiore (100% Dolcetto)
- Diano d'Alba (100% Dolcetto)
- Erbaluce di Caluso (aka Caluso)
- Gattinara (Min 90% Nebbiolo)
- Ghemme (Min 85% Nebbiolo)
- Nizza (100% Barbera)
- Roero (100% Arneis)
- Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato (90% Ruchè)
- Terre Alfieri (Arneis and Nebbiolo))