Gattinara is a red Italian wine that comes from the Piedmont region in Northern Italy. Its unique character comes from the Nebbiolo grape, which is locally known as Spanna. This grape gives the wine structure and longevity due to its high tannin content.
Gattinara wine is named after the town of Gattinara, which is in the Vercelli province within Piedmont. This historic town has a rich wine-making tradition which enhances the reputation of the Gattinara wine. The wines from this region were even noted for their quality as far back as the Roman times.
The Gattinara region itself has a cooler climate, which allows the grapes to ripen slowly and develop complex flavors. The soil in this region is rich in acidic porphyry rocks, which adds to the wine's distinct mineral quality. Gattinara wines often have flavors of dried fruit, leather, anise, and roses, with a spicy finish.
The wine must be aged for at least 35 months prior to release, with at least 24 of those months in wood barrels. Thus, Gattinara wines are well-suited for cellaring and can be kept for many years, often developing better flavors as they age.
It is noteworthy to mention that Gattinara has been designated as a DOCG area (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), which is the highest classification for Italian wines. This classification ensures that the wines labeled as Gattinara meet stringent production and quality standards.
