Treiso and Alba

Number of MGAs (Treiso): 20 (three of which are shared with the commune of Alba)
Number of Wineries (Treiso): 22

Number of MGAs (Alba): 4 (three of which are shared with the commune of Treiso)
Number of Wineries (Alba): 10

Although the small part of the appellation that falls in the commune of Alba (and more precisely in the hamlet of San Rocco Seno d’Elvio) is a history in itself from an administrative point of view, in terms of viticulture and terroir it can be considered to all intents and purposes as a particular case of Treiso, if not even as a true extension. Therefore, while providing separate maps for each municipality, I have preferred to group them into a single fact sheet, also providing a sole description by panoramic images.

Given this important premise, when talking about the southern part of the denomination it comes naturally to take as a reference point the village of Treiso, which represents an unmistakable visual (and climatic) watershed between the two Sectors that can be identified (first image).

1. Northern sector. Of the two, this is the one that in terms of soils, hill conformation and elevation is closest to the municipality of Barbaresco, of which in some cases it can be considered a true extension. Following the hill ridges that run through it and converge on the village of Treiso, this Sector can then be divided into three different areas (second image). The first takes in Castellizzano, Ferrere, Vallegrande and San Stunet, though this last MGA crosses in large part into the Southern sector (third image). The second zone takes in Marcarini, Pajorè, Giacosa and Casot, grouped together along the central ridge that extends from Tre Stelle toward Treiso and whose best exposed slope (that of Pajorè) may be considered an extension of Montaribaldi of Barbaresco (fourth image). The third zone takes in Ausario, Rizzi and the ridges that converge at Bricco di Treiso and together represent the westernmost part of the Northern sector. Taken as a whole, and considering the numerous MGAs, the Northern sector presents a rather broad spectrum of styles, citing, for example, the floral elegance of Rizzi, expressed with greater structure in the Fratin area, or the classic verticality of Nervo or the unmistakable mineral character of the wines of Casot. On the other hand, the wines of Valeirano and Castellizzano show more vigor and fruit, though each with its own measure of structural intensity, the first fruitier and the second more elegant and linear. The other MGAs will be described in the individual entries in the MGA section.

2. Southern sector. This sector is distinguished from the preceding by the imposing single ridge descending southward from the hamlet of Cappelletto (the highest point of the entire Barbaresco appellation) to the edge of Treiso. Like any ridge, this has two main slopes, one facing east and the other west. The Eastern slope, shown to the right in the fifth panoramic image, is only partially included in a MGA (San Stunet). In the rest of the area, worthy of mention is Bongiovanni (Bungioan) and the best exposed slope at the Cascina Bordino. The Western slope, more extensive and well-known (fith and sixth image), is characterized in the first part by a rather uniform westerly exposure. In its second part (sixth image) it is furrowed by three secondary ridges descending from east to west and whose south facing slopes are well suited to Nebbiolo. The first, with a less pronounced incline, is that of Meruzzano, followed at a short distance by the rugged and much steeper slope of Montersino. To the north of the deep gullies known as the Rocche dei Sette Fratelli a third ridge begins, descending from the Giacone MGA to the Rocche Massalupo MGA, into the municipal territory of Alba. In this regard, it should be noted that parts of the Meruzzano, Montersino and Rizzi MGAs are also included in the commune of Alba. Finally, to give a brief stylistic description of the wines produced in this area, we can say that despite the geological substratum formed by the Lequio Formation, Barbaresco from these hills tends to be fruitier and less tannic than Barolo from Serralunga d’Alba, due to a slightly higher percentage of sand in the soils and a cooler microclimate.

Note: The number of wineries in the municipality of Alba refers to those based within the boundaries of the appellation or in the close surroundings.