AMONG THE HILLS OF MONFERRATO: SUMMER TOLD IN A GLASS.
With the arrival of summer, Monferrato reveals its soul. The hills light up with golden light, the streets are filled with curious travellers, the scents of budding vines mix with the warm air. In this Piedmontese land, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, every place is a discovery and every glass is transformed into an emotion. Monferrato is not visited: it is lived, listened to, and savored slowly.
” In Monferrato, wine is not just a product of excellence: it is an integral part of our cultural landscape, of people’s daily lives, of the collective memory and of the identity of an entire community ” – says Vitaliano Maccario , president of the Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato Consortium. ” Each bottle contains the patient work of our winemakers, the nuances of the territory and the deep vocation for quality. And in the summer, when the territory generously opens up to those who visit it, all this becomes even more tangible: the vineyards are transformed into scenarios of beauty, the cellars into places of meeting and storytelling, the glasses into occasions of connection between people and territories. Wine tourism is not only an opportunity to make the wines of our denominations known, but a way to convey emotions, roots, authenticity. Tasting a Monferrato wine means getting in tune with a centuries-old history made of passion, respect for the land and the pleasure of being together. It is a philosophy of well-being that encompasses all the values of our territory .”
In this unique setting, the Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato Consortium invites you to embark on a sensory journey through vineyards, cellars, flavors and stories. Thirteen denominations, including DOCG and DOC, make up the mosaic of excellence that tell the story of the variety and richness of this territory; keys to a world made of authenticity, peasant traditions, and sincere hospitality.
Barbera d’Asti DOCG , for example, is perfect to accompany an outdoor lunch after a walk among the rows. Its fresh and lively character enhances traditional summer dishes – from raw meat salads to omelettes with wild herbs – and lends itself wonderfully to a tasting at sunset, in one of the many wineries that open their doors for picnics among the vineyards, accompanied by live music and local products.
Grignolino d’Asti doc , with its elegant sip and delicate tannins, is the ideal companion for hot days, when you are looking for lightness without sacrificing personality. This wine, with an ancient history, becomes a perfect travel companion during visits to the villages of Asti, paired with artisanal cured meats, fresh toma cheeses and freshly baked focaccia in shaded courtyards where time seems to have stopped.
Cortese dell’Alto Monferrato DOC, with its intense aroma and smooth taste, is the absolute protagonist of festive moments. Light straw-yellow in color, sometimes with greenish reflections, it has a light and persistent aroma with floral and fresh fruit notes; the taste is dry, rightly acidic, with a slightly bitter aftertaste harmonized by a good flavor, it is the perfect complement to a splendid day among the hills of Alto Monferrato or in the historic estates that dot the Belbo valley. Often served with traditional desserts, fresh fruit or blue cheeses to be enjoyed during a late breakfast or a relaxed snack in the shade of a pergola, overlooking the rows.
Terre Alfieri DOCG Arneis , on the other hand, stands out for its elegance and versatility. Fresh and floral, it finds its maximum expression during the evening events that animate the squares and courtyards of the Asti hills: gourmet dinners under the stars, show cooking and themed tastings that combine contemporary cuisine and wines of character, often accompanied by artistic performances and moments of theatrical narration.
Alongside the more well-known denominations, Monferrato preserves a unique winemaking heritage, made up of native vines that surprise with their originality and depth. The rare and highly fragrant Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG offers an unforgettable experience to those who taste it in family-run cellars, where generations of winemakers have dedicated themselves to producing unique and distinctive wines of the area. It pairs splendidly with spicy dishes or aged cheeses, served during guided tastings in the small natural amphitheatres of the area.
Freisa d’Asti DOC , with its rustic but elegant character, is perfect to accompany evening barbecues in farmhouses , among laughter, music and conviviality. Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco DOC , sweet and aromatic, finds its golden opportunity during Sunday events in the vineyard parks, designed for families and small excursions, where children play on the grass and adults are enchanted by a glass.
Wine tourism here is not just a proposal: it is a promise. Every trip to Monferrato is an opportunity to stop, breathe, listen to the silence of the vineyards and the stories of those who live those vineyards every day. Between one glass and another, between a village and a panoramic terrace, you find yourself closer to something profound: the beauty of simplicity, the taste of waiting, the gentle strength of the earth.
