Roero | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Summer on the hills of Roero | |
 Coat of arms | |
 | |
| Country | Italy |
Roero (Italian pronunciation:[roˈɛːro];Piedmontese:Roé[rʊˈe]) is a geographical area in the north-east corner of theprovince of Cuneo inPiedmont, north-westItaly. This hilly region is known for itswines and for its fruit production: particularly thepeaches ofCanale and the local variety ofpear known as Madernassa which originated in the late eighteenth century inVezza d'Alba.[1] Strawberries are also grown.
The name comes from the Roero family of bankers and traders, who were prominent in the political life ofAsti and its environs, and who dominated this area for a number of centuries during theMiddle Ages.
The designated zone of production for theDOCG winesRoero andRoero Arneis is a subset of this territory which comprises the communes ofCastellinaldo,Canale,Corneliano d’Alba,Piobesi d’Alba andVezza d’Alba, plus parts ofBaldissero d'Alba,Castagnito,Guarene,Govone,Magliano Alfieri,Montà,Monteu Roero,Pocapaglia,Priocca,Santa Vittoria d'Alba,Santo Stefano Roero andSommariva Perno.[2]
The territory lies to the north ofAlba. The riverTanaro marks its southern border, dividing it from theLanghe. To the north-east its informal boundary withMonferrato follows approximately the line of the border between the provinces of Cuneo andAsti, althoughCisterna d’Asti can be taken to be part of Roero. To the north-west it is confined by theprovince of Turin. To the west its border is taken to be the SS 661 state road which runs through thecommunes ofBra,Sanfrè andSommariva del Bosco.[3]
The communes which fall, partly or entirely within Roero are thus:
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | Province of Cuneo,Piedmont,Italy |
| Part of | Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont:Langhe-Roero andMonferrato |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iii)(v) |
| Reference | 1390rev |
| Inscription | 2014 (38thSession) |
Roero is a recognized wine-making area of theProvince of Cuneo in thePiedmont region; along with its neighboursLanghe andMonferrato it forms the “Distretto Langhe, Roero e Monferrato” wine district.[4]
Roero wines include the red Roero, as well as the white RoeroArneis, and sparkling white RoeroArneisSpumante. The name "Roero" lacking any further specification is reserved for red wines made from a minimum of 95%Nebbiolo grapes with the addition of 2%–5% of non-aromatic red varieties.[5] Roero must be aged in cellars for twenty months, six of them in wooden barrels, while Roero riserva (reserve) must be aged at least 32 months total, with the same minimum of six months spent in wood.[6] Nebbiolo has 194.90 hectares dedicated to it in Roero.[7]
Meanwhile, RoeroArneis and RoeroArneisSpumante are made from 95%Arneis grapes with the rest from non-aromatic white varieties of the Piedmonte region.[5] TheArneis grape variety has 832.89 hectares of vineyards devoted to it in Roero.[7]
Roero became a DOC region in 1985 and a DOCG region in 2005.[7]
Other wines produced include Barbera d'Alba, Birbèt, Bonarda, Favorita, Moscato d'Asti and Nebbiolo d'Alba.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
44°42′00″N7°51′00″E / 44.7000°N 7.8500°E /44.7000; 7.8500
