Brachetto - A Rare Treat from Piedmont

Brachetto! Ever heard of it? I certainly hadn't until Francesco (aka Tenuta Foresto) text me at the beginning of the year to let me know he had made a wine from this rare Piemontese grape variety and that I should buy some quickly as it was in very small quantity. I followed his instructions and couldn't wait for its arrival. January is the perfect time of year to explore new horizons so I love it when we receive something fresh and intriguing.

The grape variety apparently became popular in Piedmont back in the 1970s in the form of a sparkling, sweet, red wine, something like a red alternative to Moscato d'Asti which is made in the same region. Francesco did not have positive things to say about this but a part of me still wants to try it! He believes the interesting, aromatic characteristics of the variety are lost in this style so wanted to do something different.

(Francesco in his vineyard complete with Highbury Library hat)

He employs the carbonic maceration technique on this wine to produce a light red with a beautiful concentration of fresh fruit with delicate floral notes. Easy drinking but full of character which is exactly what January calls for in my opinion. He has very few Brachetto vines that don't even produce enough grapes to fill a barrel so this may be a one-off cuvée...

BR4CH3TTO 2023

We will be showing this wine at Highbury Library Wine Club 37, which at time of writing still has a few tickets left for each night

Until then, happy drinking!