red grape · regional specialty
Brachetto
Acqui Terme, Monferrato hills, Piedmont, Italy
Say it
bra·kett·oh
Double-t is a short clipped stop (as in 'rocket'); three syllables, stress on middle.
On the palate
strawberryroseraspberryvioletwhite peachred cherry
How you spot it blind: Muscat-parented red grape: rose-petal and wild strawberry dominate
The story
First written down · 1877, Piedmont (Rovasenda ampelography)
DNA confirmed Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains as a direct parent (VIVC 15630), explaining Brachetto's exceptional Muscat-like florality in a black-berried grape; Dr. Schneider's DNA work later established it as distinct from the Provençal Braquet.
Family tree: MUSCAT A PETITS GRAINS BLANCS × (AVARENGO × BOTTAGERA)
Where it lives
Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG (Asti and Alessandria provinces, Piedmont) · Piemonte Brachetto DOC
Shows up as
sparklingfrizzantestill redpassitoBrachetto d'Acqui DOCG
If you like this, try
Moscato d'AstiLambruscoMuscat Rosé à Petits Grains