I love Brachetto. Full stop. I love selling Brachetto. I love people’s reactions when they say they want something different than Moscato, and then their minds are blown with something Moscato-like, but it’s a RED wine!

Brachetto is one of the few aromatic red grapes of Italy. Yes, there’s aromatic white grapes – lots of them, but aromatic red grapes are something of an anomaly. In Piemonte alone, there are seven aromatic reds: Brachetto, Ruche, Malvasia di Casorzo, Malvasia di Schierano, Malvasia Nera Lunga, Moscato Nero d’Acqui and Brachettone del Roero. I have tasted five of these and Brachetto is high on the list in both quality and flavour. Brachetto is an aromatic grape due to its high levels of geraniol and nerol (those flower notes that we always smell in the wine!)

In the beginning, Brachetto was always made as a still, dry wine. The popularity of the grape was boosted by a decision to make this a sparkling frizzante version back in the late nineteenth century by Arturo Bersano. Clearly, it was a good decision as the sweeter profile, and an alcohol level of 5.5%, similar to that of moscato wines, makes it highly competitive in the market. So much so that it the style we see most of in today’s market.  The best are labelled Brachetto d’Acqui but are often made around the town of Asti, (Brachetto d’Asti) and these can be good too.

I recently wrote about Brachetto in January’s #ItalianFWT, to introduce folks to Italian wine. I’ll feature the same brachetto wine in this post, because I feel that it truly exemplifies the Brachetto grape and the typicity of it.

La Gironda is proud of their area of Monferatto/Nizza, where some of the best wines of the world are made! They are a completely sustainable vineyard with no herbicides/pesticides, hand harvesting, and reduced consumption of environmental resources! I would be pleased to drink any of their wines and their Brachetto d’Acqui is definitely a real treat! A small family run winery fueled with passion, commitment and dedication run by Susanna and Alberto and their family. Although I have been to Monferrato, (and welcomed warmly, I might add), I will one day visit their winery to learn more about this fascinating grape, and taste through their portfolio of wines! Susanna, if you’re reading this, I hope you’re staying safe during this time! I salute you!

I decided to keep it simple: Chocolate covered strawberries and Brachetto! I skipped right to dessert because after all..Life is short! The wine is a beautiful light ruby colour with delicate bubbles. The aroma is intoxicating with ripe raspberries, tons of floral rose notes, with hints of cinnamon, strawberry, red currant and rhubarb. Great acidity on the palate that perfectly balances the sweetness in this wine. There’s also a savoury hint on the back end which would make this super fun to pair with some savoury food…I’ll have to talk to friend Bev about this and have her come up with something! Then with the chocolate covered strawberries? Totally brings out all the aforementioned flavours of the wine! 

Who needs a meal when you can skip right to dessert? Enjoy the posts on Brachetto written by my fellow #ItalianFWT collegues! Salute!

Susannah at Avvinare explores “Brachetto d’Acqui – A Treat from Piedmont”

Nicole at Somms Table is pairing “Marenco Pineto Brachetto d’Acqui and Simple Strawberry Treat”

Lynn at Savor the Harvest is ready to “Brighten Up Lockdown with Brachetto d’Acqui Sparkling Wine #ItalianFWT”

Jennifer at Vino Travels Italy is enjoying “Brachetto: The Sweet Red Bubbly of Piemdont”

Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla is pairing “Stracotto di Manzo al Vino Rosso + Brachetto d’Acqui”

Gwendolyn at Wine Predator is pairing “Brachetto d’Acqui and Grandma’s Biscotti with Cherries Poached in Red Wine and Marscapone #ItalianFWT”

Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm is “Whiling Away the Time with Marenco Brachetto d’Acqui Pineto”

Jeff Burrows at Food Wine Click finds “Piemonte Brachetto: Sweet, Fizzy and Red!”

Terri at Terri Steffes is spending “An Afternoon of Wine Learning: Brachetto d’Acqui” 

Linda at My Full Wine Glass is “Bingeing on Brachetto, Biscotti, Berries and a Chocolate Bunny”

Cindy at Grape Experiences, gives us “Bring Joy to the Table with Brachetto d’Acqui and Budino al Cioccolato (Chocolate Pudding Italian Style)”