Gattinara DOCG, Alto Piemonte’s most well-known appellation, is a geographically small denomination for red wines made from 90-100 Nebbiolo and 0-10% Bonarda in north-west Piemonte, Italy. Gattinara was awarded DOC status in 1967 and became a DOCG in 1990.

Doug Wregg of Les Caves de Pyrène (Les Caves de Pyrène list, July 2011) points out how the Gattinara DOCG ‘is located far north of the Barolo and Barbaresco DOCG zones in the Alpine foothills close to Lago Maggiore. The soils of this region are more acidic than those of the Langhe, which, paired with the cooler climate and altitude, results in highly fragrant, elegant wines at their best in hot years,” (Les Caves de Pyrène list, July 2011). Ian D’Agata (VIA tasting, 1 Dec 2015, Signorvino, Verona) points out that ‘as Gattinara comes from volcanic soils it is a more structured wine than Ghemme DOCG which comes from sandy clay (the two regions are on opposites sides of the Sesia river).

Terroir: The grapes are grown within the boundaries of the commune of Gattinara in hills in the north of Vercelli Province, north-west of Novara.

Wine style: The Gattinara wines are broader, juicier and less austere compared to Barolo DOCG.

Wineries

No certification: Antoniolo.