Araldica is Piemonte's largest and most progressive co-operative yet retains a small, family run company feel, thanks to the inspired guidance of winemaker/manager Claudio Manera (whose father Livio was the co-op's first winemaker in the fifties) and his wife Lella, also a winemaker and in charge of Quality Control. 80% of production is bottled (an extraordinarily high percentage for a large co-operative) at the company's headquarters in the Monferrato hills, home of the old cellars and a new winery, operating since September 2000.

Produced from Barbera grapes cultivated in vineyards in the Monferrato hills in the South of the province of Asti. The South West facing vineyards are at altitudes of between 250 and 400m and the soil is clay and limestone. Planting density is 4000 to 4500 vines per hectare and the Piemonte low Guyot trellis system is uesd. Grapes are hand harvest between 3 and 10 October. Average yield is 5300 litres per hectare.

Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 25 - 30 degrees C. Pressed when dry and racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. The clear wine is then matured for 4-6 months in stainless steel tanks.

Perfect with simple pasta or pizza and grilled sausages - serve slightly chilled.