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The Consorzio Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato reports volume drop

Published:  25 March, 2019

The Consorzio Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato has reported a decrease in overall volume of bottling compared to 2017, but said 2018 was “a very positive year” for Monferrato wine.

Volume of bottling in 2018 was down 5.1% compared to 2017, with a total of 63,211,907 bottles produced by the 13 appellations protected but the consortium.

This volume drop was reflective of a "drought year such as 2017", but also reflected the “consistent commitment and dedication of our members to value quality over quantity, even in a difficult vintage”, said the consortium.

“This attitude, which has been consolidated over the last decade, has led to an increase of value of both the grapes and the terroir and continues to trend up as more and more producers choose to invest in our territory,” said president Filippo Mobrici.

Last year was “very positive” for Monferrato wine, he added.

“It is a year in which the hard work of our members, first in the vineyard and then in the cellars, was rewarded with critical acclaim and an important development of our territory.

“The attitude of prioritising quality over quantity, which has been consolidated over the last decade, has led to an increase of value of both the grapes and the terroir and this continues to trend as more and more producers choose to invest in our territory.”

The 2018 Barbera d'Asti appellation vintage closed with a total production of 20,096,221 bottles, which is slightly lower, down 4.9%, compared to the previous year, but follows the "rigorous selection of grapes necessary following the climatic trends of the 2017 vintage".

The first year of the Barbera d’Asti DOCG marked the beginning of a journey aimed at “restoring value, not only to a product, but also to an entire supply chain and territory”, said Mobrici.

“It has been a difficult journey, but now, arriving at the 10th anniversary of this appellation brings great satisfaction. One striking example is the reclaiming of land. In 2014, a record low of almost 1000ha had been lost since 2008; today, this land is going to be recuperated. Also increasing is the number of wineries,” he said.

Since 2014, the number of wineries has grown from 400 to over 600 today, with a lot of growth in the number of small producers present.

The value of the land and the grapes has also grown with the average rate being around 100,000 euros per hectare.

In November last year, Consorzio Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato expanded to include two new styles and labels - Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo Superiore.

The expansion followed the consortium receiving unanimous approval from the Comitato Vitivinicolo Nazionale to modify the specifications of the Monferrato DOC appellation.

Following the recent approval, the industry body said it has counted more than 500 potential wineries with an interest in producing, and a growing area of around 600 hectares spread over 116 municipalities in Asti and another 113 in Alessandria.

The approval was an “important achievement” in the protection and valorisation of Nebbiolo wine production, which has a long history in the Monferrato area, said Mobrici.

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