Colline Novaresi DOC

Alto Piemonte's largest umbrella DOC - maximum varietal flexibility with seven wine types from Nebbiolo to Erbaluce

History

Created 1994 as flexible umbrella designation to revive Alto Piemonte winemaking. Pre-WWII: Novara/Vercelli had 10,000+ hectares under vine. Post-war rural exodus left vineyards abandoned. 1990s: Region 'rediscovered' - Pietro Gelmini recovered abandoned Nebbiolo vines in family vineyard, sparking revival movement. Umbrella DOC provides commercial flexibility for producers.

At a glance

Climate: Continental moderated by cold Alpine air from Monte Rosa and warm air from Po Valley plain; glacial-alluvial hills between Sesia and Ticino rivers; 180-550m elevation; morainic soils distinct from volcanic Gattinara
Signature wines: Fratelli Ioppa (Romagnano Sesia since 1852, 20+ hectares), Francesca Castaldi (Vespolina specialist, 'Nina' bottling), Francesco Brigatti (Uva Rara, Vespolina), Enrico Crola (Nebbiolo), Alfonso Rinaldi (Erbaluce specialist), Silvia Barbaglia, Podere ai Valloni, Ca' Nova
What sets it apart: Catch-all umbrella DOC for Alto Piemonte providing maximum flexibility - seven distinct wine types under one appellation; overlaps with stricter Ghemme DOCG and smaller Fara/Boca/Sizzano DOCs; no mandatory aging; represents 50% of total Alto Piemonte production; revived 1990s after near-abandonment

DOC 1994
201.61 hectares (2017 Consorzio data)
25 communes in Novara province
~670,000 liters bottled annually (2017)
overlaps with stricter Ghemme DOCG and Fara/Boca/Sizzano DOCs
represents ~50% of total Alto Piemonte production