Monferrato is the large hilly area of south-eastern Piedmont, lying between the Po and the Langhe and divided between the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. It is a land of ancient vineyards, recognised by UNESCO together with the Langhe and Roero, and the appellation bearing its name was created in 1994 to gather the area's wines that fall outside the more specific historic appellations, from Barbera d'Asti to Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese.
The regulations provide for a Bianco and a Rosso from permitted grapes in any proportion, the Chiaretto or Ciaret, a rosé or light red, and the varietals Dolcetto, Freisa and Nebbiolo, with at least 85% of the named grape. Cortese has its own sub-zone, Casalese, around Casale Monferrato. Minimum alcohol is 10 degrees; Nebbiolo ages for at least twelve months, the Superiore for eighteen.
These are everyday wines, straightforward and without excess: soft, fruity Dolcetto, lively Freisa, more austere Nebbiolo. They go with Piedmontese home cooking, from agnolotti to boiled meats, from bagna cauda to fresh cheeses.
