Barbera d’Asti is much more than just a wine for us: it is the symbol of a territory, its hills and the devotion of generations of winegrowers.
Since 2008, it has held DOCG status – Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin), the highest recognition of Italian quality. This acronym has become familiar to all consumers and represents, in simple terms, a certainty: every bottle of Barbera d’Asti is produced here in Piedmont, following specific rules and rigorous controls.
The power of DOCG
Being DOCG means complying with strict regulations:
- 100% Barbera grapes, of which at least 90% must be produced in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria;
- it must be aged for at least four months after November 1st of the harvest year;
- it must have a minimum alcohol level of 12%;
- characteristics that guarantee authenticity and quality.
It is a seal of trust, which through the years has made Barbera d’Asti a wine that is recognised and appreciated not just in Italy but also abroad.
A new milestone: the European trademark
Today, another important step has been taken to protect this label: the term ‘Barbera d’Asti’ has been registered as a European collective mark with the EUIPO (the European Union Intellectual Property Office).
What does this mean? It means that from now on, the name Barbera d’Asti is even more protected against misuse or counterfeiting, and that its designation gains new legal and commercial strength. This recognition does not replace the DOCG, but rather complements it, tightening the protection of our wine. Nowhere else in Italy or the EU can a wine be produced and be called Barbera d’Asti.
An additional guarantee for those who choose Barbera d’Asti around the world
For us at Vinchio Vaglio, who have been working alongside almost 200 member winegrowers for decades, this step holds profound significance. It means defending the work of our producers, as well as looking ahead.
The markets show us that we are on the right track: in Europe, northern countries such as Denmark and Sweden have been choosing Barbera d’Asti to an increasing extent, while outside the European Union, consumers in the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Japan are learning to appreciate its character.
The goal for the future is to extend this protection to non-EU markets, starting with China, where trademark protection is essential against the risk of counterfeiting.
DOCG remains at the heart of our identity, the “shield” that certifies origin and quality. The European trademark, on the other hand, is an additional safety net, making Barbera d’Asti even stronger, more protected and better equipped to act as Piedmont’s ambassador to the world.
The view of Tessa Donnadieu, export manager at Vinchio Vaglio
“This is certainly an important step towards protecting the Barbera d’Asti designation and perhaps making it an international brand, as has happened with other famous designations such as Barolo and Barbaresco. In those cases, the brands were registered more than 30 years ago. This is a good opportunity that can help raise awareness of Barbera d’Asti and make it a more recognisable designation. We need a stronger presence on all international markets.”
“Of course, registering the brand worldwide should be the next step for the Barbera d’Asti appellation. For our part, we have registered the Vinchio Vaglio brand and some of our most important wines in both the European Union and the United States, one of our main export destinations, as well as in China, a sensitive area where counterfeit wines can sometimes be found.“
Tessa Donnadieu, from an interview for The Drink Business