Canelli is located on a bend of the riverBelbo in theAlto Monferrato (HighMonferrat), close to the border with theLanghe. The area around the town is rich invineyards. The area is believed to be the birthplace of theItaliansparkling wineAsti. The village's history of the wine is still evident today with the popularsynonym ofMuscat Canelli that is still used for the Moscato grape used to produce the wine.[3]
The territory of Canelli was already occupied in prehistoric times by settlers fromLiguria. In Roman times it became a center of some importance, surrounded by numerous farms on which vines were cultivated.
After the Roman era Canelli fell into a long decline, but was already being called acitta (town) by the year 961. By the middle of the 12th century, the descendants of the Counts ofAcqui Terme had taken control.
In 1235 Canelli became an equal partner in the Republic of Asti and Canelli. It became an outpost in the republic's frequent wars against its great rival, theDuchy of Monferrato.
In 1613 Canelli broke the siege laid byCarlo I, later the Duke ofMantua, as part of a war of succession with the Duchy of Monferrato. The town's defenses were manned by soldiers from theDuchy of Savoy, actively supported by the citizens: Carlo's troops were unable to break through them. This heroic action is celebrated in a re-enactment that takes place every year in the third weekend in June - theAssedio di Canelli (Siege of Canelli).
On the night of 5 November 1994 the town was badly hit by a violent flood of the riverBelbo that affected a large part of the town, devastating the local economy and causing some casualties.
Canelli Castle was built in the 11th century to defend the roads leading to the ports ofSavona andVado Ligure. The castle was destroyed in 1617 during the war againstMonferrato. Rebuilt and renovated in 1930 by Arturo Midana as an elegant villa, it is currently owned by theGancia family.
Some sparkling white wines in Canelli are stored in its underground cellars. In these 'underground cathedrals', which are feats of engineering, millions of bottles are left to ferment at a constant temperature between 12 and 14 °C (54 and 57 °F). Extending 13 kilometres (8 mi) under the town, the cellars of Canelli are a candidate forUNESCOWorld Heritage Site status.
The economy of Canelli is based on the production of sparkling wine, and of everything associated with it. The town is undoubtedly one of the wine capitals of the world, being home to such historic wineries as Gancia, Bosca, Contratto, Coppo and many others.
The main varieties cultivated in the municipality are:
The significant number of wineries has also given rise to many companies that produce wine-making equipment.
The flood of 1994 was a disaster for the local economy: the mud and water that rushed into the cellars caused millions of Euros of fermenting wine to be lost. The economic diversification into wine-making equipment softened the blow.
Assedio di Canelli (Siege of Canelli); 3rd weekend in June.Youtube video
Citta del Vino (City of Wine Festival); 4th weekend in September.
Fiera di San Martino (St. Martin's Fair); 2nd Sunday in November.
Fiera Regionale del Tartufo (RegionalTruffle Fair); 2nd Sunday in November.
Canelli is one of thecomuni (municipalities) that participates in thePalio di Asti. In 1974 it triumphed with the rider Mauro Finotto (nicknamedJora) on the horse Anin / Spumantino.
Canelli has two market days every week, on Tuesday and Friday.
