Explore Piedmont, Italy - a haven of fine wines like Barolo, rich culture in Turin, and stunning Alps scenery for an unforgettable experience Read more
Braida Winery Guide
EXPLORE ALL OUR RECOMMENDED ITALIAN WINERIES
Last updated: July 9, 2024
Winery Overview
The Italian red Barbera grape accounts for over 50 percent of all the vineyards planted in Piedmont. A hardy and exuberant varietal, it’s appreciated for its adaptability; a Barbera can be anything from cherry-scented and cheery to rich and robust to smooth and sultry. Yet, the grape was not always so valued here. It owes its skyrocketing prominence almost solely to one man: Giacomo Bologna. In the 1960s, this now-legendary winemaker was the first to prove that, under the proper planting and aging conditions, Barberas could rank with the great wines of the world.
The winemaker’s son, Giacomo Bologna, established the small Braida Winery in Rocchetta Tanaro in Asti, Piedmont, in 1961. By the early 1980s, Braida di Bologna Giacomo had produced three stellar crus: Uccellone, Bricco della Bigotta, and Ai Suma, a “Super Barbera,” extremely high-quality wines and some of the most famous in Italy. By planting with care and then aging the wines in small, French oak barrels to compensate for Barbera’s lack of tannins, Bologna was able to stun the Piedmont wine world by creating intensely flavorful, complex wines out of a variety normally considered to be an acidic filler.
Bologna’s widow, Anna, and children, Raffaella and Giuseppe, run the wine estate these days. With their state-of-the-art cellars and forward-thinking work ethic, they have made Braida one of the most respected wineries in Piedmont. Their wines – mostly made from indigenous varieties – are well known among wine lovers as refreshing, easy-to-drink ambassadors of the region.
Highly rated wines include:
- Il Bacialé is an elegant blend made with Barbera, Pinot Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
- Montebruna is made in a large wooden barrel according to ancient tradition.
- Brachetto d’Acqui is a sparkling, fresh, and delicate red.
- Moscato d’Asti (“Vigna Senza Nome”), an elegant, aromatic wine.
Wines produced
-
Bricco dell’Uccellone
DOC Barbera (14.5° alc./vol.) -
La Monella
DOC Barbera (12.5° alc./vol.) -
Brachetto d’Acqui
DOCG Brachetto (5.5°alc./vol.) -
Vigna Senza Nome
DOCG Moscato (5.5° alc./vol.) -
Grignolino d’Asti
DOC Grignolino (12.5° alc./vol.) -
Il Bacialè
DOC Barbera, P.Nero,Cab.S,Merlot- (13.5° alc./vol.) -
Montebruna
DOC Barbera (13.5° alc./vol.) -
Ai Suma
DOC Barbera (15° alc./vol.) -
Bricco della Bigotta
DOC Barbera (14° alc./vol.) -
Dolcetto d’Alba Serra dei Fiori
DOC Dolcetto (12.5° alc./vol.)
Winery Contact Details
Braida
Via Roma n.9414030 Rocchetta Tanaro (Asti)
Email: [email protected]
Tel +39 0141 644113
Fax +39 0141 644584 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
Barbera d'Asti, Brachetto d'Acqui, Dolcetto d'Alba, Langhe, Moscato d'Asti, Monferrato Province: Asti (Piedmont)
Founded
1961
Area under Vine
56 Ha
Age of vines
12 to 35 years old
Oak barrel origin
Reserva wines such as Bricco dell’Uccellone, Bricco della Bigotta and Ai Suma Barbera’s are aged in small French oak barrels (225 L) for 6 to 18 months. Montebruna and Il Bacialè blend are aged by one year in large oak barrels.
Winemaker
Giuseppe Bologna
Owner
Anna, Raffaella and Giuseppe Bologna
Production
600,000 bottles
Grape varietals
Barbera, Moscato, Grignolino, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling.
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
-
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape varietal native to the Burgundy wine region in France and one of the most popular varieties worldwide.
Find out more -
Moscato
Discover the Rich Tradition of Muscat Wine: From Ancient Air-Drying to Sweet and Sparkling Varieties | Explore Muscato Giallo
Find out more -
Riesling
Discover Riesling's charm, a white grape from Germany's Rhine region, cherished in Alsace, France. Unveil its secrets and delights
Find out more -
Barbera
Discover Piedmont and Nebbiolo: A Noble Marriage of Grape and Terroir. Explore the essence of Nebbiolo in the Langhe hills of northern Italy.
Find out more -
Cabernet Sauvignon
Discover the irresistible allure of Cabernet Sauvignon—a worldwide favorite with robust, dark-bodied flavor. Unleash your wine journey today!
Find out more -
Grignolino
Grignolino is a red wine grape from Piedmont, Italy, producing pale, tannin-rich wines with high acidity. Lacking depth, it's not widely appreciated beyond its local area. The grape's abundance in pips hints at its tannic nature. Despite the potential suggested by its structure, Grignolino remains overshadowed by Piedmont's renowned varieties and hasn't achieved the success once anticipated for it.
-
Merlot
Merlot is the most cultivated grape in Bordeaux and closely related to Cabernet Franc
Find out more -
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a light-bodied red wine varietal closely related to the Vitis vinifera grape and produces the most sought-after red wines in the world.
Find out more
Winery Appellations
Author
Further Reading: Discover More Related Blog Content
More information
If you would like us to customize an exclusive luxury tour, contact us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of a mininium two guests. In addition, all of our private, chauffeured tours are available year-round upon request.
