Albugnano DOC is a denomination in Asti province in the Monferrato area of Piemonte, Italy for a Nebbiolo-based wine which can be either red (‘rosso‘) or pink (‘rosato‘). The wine is made from 85-100% Nebbiolo plus an optional 0-15% Freisa, Barbera, and/or Bonarda.

The DOC dates from 1997 and was last modified in 2011. It is named after the ‘commune’ of Albugnano. The vines must occupy hill sites of suitable position and exposure. North-facing of valley floor sites are excluded from the DOC.

Communes: Albugnano. | Castelnuovo Don Bosco. | Passerano-Marmorito. | Pino d’Asti. 

Terroir: Albugnano DOC is located in the north-western Monferrato, almost at the borders of the province of Turin. Here the hills reach higher altitudes compared to the rest of north-astigiana area, over 400 meters, before descending towards the river Po and the plains. The soils comprise marls (Miocene marls (Langhian-Burdigalian) and are light colored, of medium mixture. The slopes are often high and the vineyards occupy the best exposed slopes. The area is rich in woods that, together with the altitude of the topography, contribute to refresh the climate making it favorable to the needs of the Nebbiolo grape, which ripens here a few days earlier than the Langhe (Barolo area).

Nebbiolo: The Nebbiolo grape, quite common in the past in Asti (“This Nubiola grape is highly praised in the city of Asti and in those parts” wrote Pier De Crescenzi in the fourteenth century and in that same century the name of the grape appears in the Chieri’s land registry, not far from Albugnano), has remained very present in the small enclave of Albugnano, whereas in the rest of the area it was not replanted after phylloxera.

Winemaking: Maximum yields for Albugnano DOC are set a 9.5 tonnes per hectare with an extra 20% allowed in favourable years. The minimum alcohol level is 11.0%. Albugnano DOC can be labelled Superiore if made from yields of no more than 8.5 tonnes per hectare and have a minimum alcohol level of 11.5% and at least 19,0 g/l dry extract. Albugnano wines must be aged for no less than one year (starting from 1 January following the year of production of the grapes), of which at least 6 months in oak barrels. Names of single vineyards (‘vigna’) or vineyards with a place name (‘toponimo’) are allowed if the wines are vinified separately in clearly labelled vats or barrels. Albugnano DOC wines can be vinified anywhere in the Piemonte region.

Wine production: 2011 646hl. | 2012 321hl. | 2013 544hl. | 2014 795hl. | 2015 826hl. | 2016 481hl.

Bibliography

Disciplinare di produzione dei vini a denominazione di origine controllata Albugnano (2011).