Alasia Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG

The Brachetto variety may have originated in Provence, but today it is grown in much larger quantities in Italy, in particular in Piemonte. The Brachetto vine is delicate, giving low yields from which sweet red wines with the colour and flavour of strawberries are produced. The grapes for Alasia Brachetto d'Acqui are sourced from vineyards in the Monferrato hills in the south of the province of Asti. These south-west facing vineyards are situated at altitudes of 250 and 400m above sea level. The vines have an average age of 20 years and are grown using the low Guyot trellis system. Soil is limestone clay. The grapes are hand harvested toward the end of August. The crushed grapes are chilled in stainless steel and kept in contact with the skins for 2-3 days. Grapes are pressed in a modern pnuematic press and the must is fermented in a pressurised tank, but fermentation is halted to leave 5.5% ABV and approximately 100g/l residual sugar.

Araldica is Piemonte's most forward-thinking co-operative, situated in Castel Boglione, in the heart of Barbera d'Asti territory. Here they work with 230 grower members to source quality grapes from around 690ha of vineyards. Many of their members joined the co-operative in the 1950s and have a long and loyal relationship with the winery. They produce wines from Piemonte's main DOC / DOCG regions - predominantly Barbera, Gavi and Moscato, but also including Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero Arneis.

Founded in 1954 by Livio Manera, father of the current Managing Director and winemaker Claudio Manera, Araldica has developed over the past 60+ years to become a major winemaking force in Piemonte, supplying wines across the globe. Claudio's wife Lella heads up quality control at Araldica, where she is responsible for the blending and approval of all wines.

Their son Carlo, also a qualified winemaker, is now part of the Araldica winemaking team. Livio pioneered developments in winemaking techniques - especially with regard to the production of Barbera - and Araldica have since continued to be instrumental in the distribution of Barbera and Gavi within the UK market and internationally. As Claudio states their aim is "...to provide a range that is both understandable and accessible. Quite simply, wine for drinking and enjoying."