DOCG area for red wines in the Italian region of Piedmont. Formerly included in the DOC area Barbera del Monferrato, the wine type with higher alcohol content and longer maturity was classified as an independent area in 2008. The zone covers 787 hectares of vineyards at altitudes up to 650 metres above sea level in 214 municipalities in the two provinces of Asti (116) and Alessandria (98). If the grapes come from classified vineyards, Vigna plus site can be indicated on the bottle label. The wine is produced from the Barbera variety (at least 85%), as well as Freisa and/or Grignolino and/or Dolcetto (maximum 15%). The required ageing period is 14 months, of which at least 6 in barrique barrels. The alcohol content must be at least 13% vol. Two other areas in Piedmont with Barbera-dominated red wines are Barbera d'Asti and Barbera d'Alba.
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