Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG, Piedmont (Wine Styles, 10 Best Bottles)

Brachetto dAcqui (also known as Acqui) is a sparkling, sweet red wine from Piedmont, Italy. 

The ruby-hued red wine presents a lovely sipping experience with strong aromatics, refreshing strawberry flavors, and a light foamy mouthfeel! 

Let’s explore more about Brachetto d’Acqui, including its wine styles, winemaking, food pairing tips, and 10 delicious wines to try in 2022.

Quick Facts About Brachetto d’Acqui

Here are a few interesting facts about the incredible Brachetto dAcqui wine:

What Grapes Are Used To Make Brachetto dAcqui Wine?

Brachetto dAcqui wines are made with the Italian Brachetto grape varietal, which is grown in the Alto Monferrato district of Asti.

Where Is Brachetto d’Acqui Wine Produced?

Brachetto d’Acqui wine is produced in Acqui in the northwestern region of Piedmont. Acqui became a DOCG in 1996.

Where Are The Brachetto d’Acqui Vineyards Situated?The Brachetto d’Acqui vineyards overlap with the Moscato d’Asti zone, near the Acqui Terme town. 

The Brachetto d’Acqui zone has 26 communes spread out across the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. 

What Type of Soils Does The Brachetto Grape Grow Best On?

The Brachetto vine plots grow well on calcareous clay and marl-rich soils.

How Did Brachetto d’Acqui Wine Originate?

The Brachetto grape thrives in Piedmont, but wine experts speculate it may have originated in France during the late 19th century. 

But, this sweet sparkling wine has had an illustrious history in Italy:

• The wine regularly featured in the Commedia dell'arte (Italian theater.)
• It was a favorite among Ancient Rome aristocrats.
• Legend reveals that Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony would gift Cleopatra Brachetto d’Acqui wine.

The 10 Best Brachetto d’Acqui Wine To Buy in 2022

Here are the best Brachetto d’Acqui wines to try:

1. 2019 Contero Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($26)
2. 2018 Banfi Vigne Regali 'Rosa Regale' Spumante ($23)
3. 2016 Marenco Pineto 2016 Marenco Pineto, Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($23)
4. 2020 Cantina Alice Bel Colle Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($10)
5. 2014 Giacomo Bologna Braida Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($30)
6. 2017 Tenimenti Ca' Bianca Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($12)
7. 2018 Cantina Sant'Evasio Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($18)
8. 2017 Marchesi di Barolo Gatij Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($50)
9. 2019 Bersano Castelgaro Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($26)
10. 2017 La Gironda Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($15)

1. 2019 Contero Brachetto dAcqui DOCG ($26)

This sweet, semi sparkling wine has bright cherry and violet aromas accompanied by a rich, mousse-like mouthfeel and a bittersweet finish. 

2. 2018 Banfi Vigne Regali 'Rosa Regale' Spumante ($23)

Here we have a red wine with rose petals, raspberry, and strawberry aromas. The palate has fresh red fruit flavor notes, crisp acidity, and a dry finish. 

3. 2016 Marenco Pineto, Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($23)

Here is a delicious dessert wine with rose and raspberry aromas, a strawberry tasting note, and great acidity.

4. 2020 Cantina Alice Bel Colle Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($10)

This Italian wine has fruit, toasted bread, and spice aromas accompanied by fresh berries and smokey flavor notes.

5. 2014 Giacomo Bologna Braida Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($30)

Here is an elegant dessert wine with invigorating rose petals, strawberry, and bright cherry aromas. The palate is fresh with an explosion of fresh berries. 

6. 2017 Tenimenti Ca' Bianca Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($12)

This wine has a nose of fresh raspberry and wild strawberry notes intertwined in a sweet, creamy, and crisp palate. 

7. 2018 Cantina Sant'Evasio Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($18)

Here we have a fruit forward wine with juicy fresh berries, rose petals, sweet herbs, and lemon zest aromas. The palate has sweet fruity flavor notes and excellent length. 

8. 2017 Marchesi di Barolo Gatij Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($50)

This Italian wine has raspberry, strawberry, and spice aromas. The palate has tasting notes of leather, strawberry, and bright cherry.

9. 2019 Bersano Castelgaro Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($26)

Here is a wine with aromas of sweet herbs and rose petals accompanied by a sweet black fruit tasting note.

10. 2017 La Gironda Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ($15)

This refreshing wine has a nose of pomegranate, gooseberry, and rose notes. The palate is mellow and sweet with excellent length.

Food Pairing and Serving Suggestions For Brachetto d’Acqui Wine

You can enjoy Brachetto d’Acqui wine with dishes like:

• Chocolate: Dark chocolate, fudgy dark chocolate cake, chocolate lava, and chocolate chip cookies
• Fruit: Fresh berries, fruit salad, raspberry tart and other fruit tarts
• Other dessert options:Zabaglione trifle, vanilla ice cream with crushed cookies, and sorbet

Serve this wine in a red wine glass at 55-60 degrees Farenheight.

The Brachetto d’Acqui Wine Styles And How They Are Made

There are 4 Brachetto dAcqui wine styles:

1. Semi-Sparkling (Fizzante) Red Wine

This semi sparkling wine has about 5% alcohol by volume. This wine type is made according to the Charmat method: 

• Maceration: The grape must and grape skins are macerated for 48 hours.
• Fermentation: Fermentation takes place in pressurized tanks for 30 days.
• Aging: The red wine is aged in the bottle for about 3 months.

2. Sparkling (Spumante) Wine

The spumante wine has an alcohol by volume of 6% and ranges from extra brut to sweet. This wine type is made similarly to the fizzante wine style. 

3. Passito Wine

This rare wine has 11% alcohol by volume and tastes sweet and velvety. The Passito winemaking process is more complex and time-consuming, driving the wine’s price up:

• Pressing: After harvesting, the grapes are dried outdoors and pressed. 
• Fermentation: The must goes through fermentation for a few months.

4. Acqui DOCG Rosé Wine

The Rose wine has an alcohol by volume of 11.5%. It’s made similarly to spumante and fizzante wine styles, except here, the saignee juice is bled away from the red grapes. 

How About Trying An Invigorating Brachetto d’Acqui Bottle Now?

Brachetto dAcqui wine is the perfect accompaniment for a romantic dinner, lunch, or picnic. Its refreshing, fruity flavor and delicate bubbles would make for an enjoyable drinking experience!

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