Your Invitation to Discover Brachetto d’Acqui with the #ItalianFWT Crew

In December 2019, I had the privilege of spending almost a week in the Italian region of Piemonte to explore its distinctive wines, mouthwatering cuisine and stunning terroir. Expertly organized and sponsored by IEEM, I was part of a group of journalists and sommeliers who were invited by those at Asti DOCG, Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG, Franciacorta DOCG and Custoza DOC to engage in a bit of hands-on, palate-pleasing learning.

On April 4 at 11am EST, the group of Italian food, wine and travel writers (#ItalianFWT) of which I’m a part, have chosen to focus our monthly articles on the wines of Brachetto d’Acqui, one of the areas I visited, and pair their choices with favorite recipes. I’m leading the conversation that morning and would love for you to join us.

Brachetto d’Acqui

One chilly day in December, I meandered through the streets of Acqui Terme, a beautiful, historic city in the province of Allessandria, Piemonte and the epicenter for production of Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG. Legend has it that the “vinum acquense” (wine of Acqui) had aphrodisiac powers. In ancient Rome, Julius Ceasar and Mark Antony sent a multitude of wineskins of vinum acquense to Queen Cleopatra of Egypt before their arrival, with hopes that this would “rekindle the passion” of these legendary lovers… Rather inspirational, don’t you think?

The thermal spa in the center of Acqui Terme

Brachetto is a unique variety in that we can pick this firm-fleshed, purple grape from the vine and savor its aromas and sweet flavor. As a wine, elegant Brachetto is relatively high in sugar with intense, delicate aromas of roses and orange blossoms. Characterized by a climate of moderately harsh winters, hot summers and mild spring and autumn seasons, this area presents a wide diurnal temperature range allowing optimal sugar content and delicate yet intense aromatics to develop in the Brachetto grape.

Meant to be enjoyed young and fresh within two years of bottling, Brachetto d’Acqui is found in three styles: sparkling, semi-sparkling and passito. All but the passito style are low in alcohol at around 11-12% abv; the passito is at least 16% abv. Almost all of the wines are produced using the Charmat (or Martinotti) method, originally invented in 1895 by Federico Martinotti, Director of the Asti Institute of Experimental Oenology. In essence, an initial fermentation occurs at controlled temperatures in a pressurized tank for 30 days. A second fermentation happens when sugars in the must become alcohol and carbon dioxide due to the presence of yeast. The result is bottled immediately.

Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG or simply “Acqui” must address the following characteristics: The color must show a medium intensity ruby red with a slight lean towards light garnet or rose, must offer delicate aromas of musk, must exude sweet, soft and delicate flavors and must have a minimum total alcoholic strength of 11.5% of which at least 5% is alcohol.

As a sparkling wine, DOCG Brachetto d’Acqui (or Acqui) must present a fine, persistent foam and have a minimum total alcoholic strength by volume of which 12% is at least 6% in alcohol. Perhaps one of the most recognizable examples is Banfi Piemonte Rosa Regale Brachetto d’Acqui and I enjoyed the 2019 vintage at the winery. It’s a brilliant all-occasion sparkler with a bright cranberry red color and subtle aromas. Flavors of raspberries, roses, fresh strawberries and juicy red berries were lifted with crisp acidity, persistent bubbles and a lasting finish. A glass or two is perfect to enjoy any day of the week!

What about foods for pairing? Consider a lovely Brachetto d’Acqui with a traditional dessert at the end of the meal or a mid-afternoon pastry. Fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries and peaches are luscious combinations with the wine, as are baked desserts, light appetizers or dried walnuts, almonds, pistachios and figs. As an ingredient, Brachetto d’Acqui can be used in the preparation of cocktails, fruit salads or jellies. After a master class in Acqui, our group indulged in a bountiful lunch that included pasta, salads and light meats complemented with a glass of Brachetto or cocktail in which Brachetto was an ingredient. Just delicious.

An excellent resource for inspiration and further knowledge is the website of Consorzio Tutela Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG. (Please click here.)

Join the Twitter Conversation on April 4

Even if you don’t have a website or blog, join our twitter conversation about Brachetto d’Acqui on Saturday, April 4 at 11am Eastern/8am Pacific and use the hashtag #ItalianFWT. Have you tasted the wines? Have you visited the region? Do you have some terrific food pairings to share? I’ll “see” you on Saturday.

My colleagues are already excited to share their Brachetto d’Acqui experiences. The following articles will be published on Friday, April 3 or the morning of Saturday, April 4.

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”

Marcia at Joy of Wine is exploring “Brachetto: The Sweetie of Piemonte”

Over here at Grape Experiences, I plan to “Bring Joy to the Table with Brachetto d’Acqui and Budino al Cioccolato (Chocolate Pudding Italian Style)”