A journey of research to authentically express both the appellation and the winery’s signature style
Piobesi d’Alba, March 2025 – Tenuta Carretta (Link), the historic winery based in Piobesi d’Alba, continues its commitment to elevating Piedmont’s great appellations with a dedicated project focused on Nizza DOCG. This initiative strengthens the Miroglio family’s vision of investing in the region’s most prestigious wine-growing areas, building on the estate’s historic vineyards in Langhe, Roero, Alta Langa, and, since 2012, Nizza, bringing Tenuta Carretta’s expertise to the appellation that embodies the highest expression of Barbera’s quality.
Nizza DOCG has been the focus of a meticulous research and winemaking journey at Tenuta Carretta, one defined by precision, patience, and a conscious, tailored approach. The result is the release of two distinct labels: Nizza DOCG Bricco Manera 2021, which highlights the appellation’s fresher, more immediate character, and Nizza DOCG Riserva Mora di Sassi 2020, emphasizing its depth, complexity, and aging potential.
“For Tenuta Carretta, entering the Nizza DOCG appellation meant embarking on an extensive study to fully understand the potential of each vineyard,” explains Paolo Scaiola, Technical Director and winemaker at Tenuta Carretta. “We have dedicated years to getting to know this territory, identifying the most suitable plots among our 40 hectares of vineyards, for a total of 7 hectares. The next step was to define a style that respected both the typicity of the appellation and the identity of our winery. Nizza is an appellation that is gaining increasing recognition and value, and we are proud to contribute to its growth with two wines that express different nuances of excellence.
The Nizza Appellation
The story of Nizza DOCG is rooted in decades of research and selection, beginning in 2002 with the creation of the “Nizza” subzone within the Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOCG appellation. The goal was clear: to highlight the most authentic and expressive side of Barbera by focusing on a more defined, high-potential growing area.
A pivotal moment came in 2014, when Nizza officially became its own DOCG. With this recognition came a strict production code designed to protect its identity and reinforce its deep connection to the land. The regulations significantly narrowed the production area to just 18 municipalities – compared to the 169 permitted for Barbera d’Asti – and imposed lower yields per hectare.
“Nizza is the pinnacle of Barbera,” explains Paolo Scaiola (Link). “It’s the result of a long, carefully considered journey to elevate the variety, deeply rooted in a territory with a strong sense of identity. By regulation, vineyards must be planted on hillside slopes with exclusively southwest or southeast exposures. Yields are strictly limited to a maximum of 70 quintals per hectare – an essential factor for Barbera, a naturally high-yielding variety that requires significant thinning and meticulous vineyard management to reach its full potential.”
Nizza Bricco Manera 2021
The 2020 and 2021 vintages (Link) were both marked by high temperatures, during a period when the evidence of climate change began to assert itself forcefully. “The 2021 vintage was one of the hottest in the last 60 years. A very rainy January allowed the plants to avoid significant stress, but April saw a very sudden frost—called a ‚black frost’—which partially affected both the valley floors and the higher parts of the hills, causing the loss of 10% of the first buds,” says Scaiola. The summer was particularly hot, especially in July and August, but the cool nights helped maintain a good balance during the vegetative and productive phases. Despite the water reserves accumulated during the spring rains, the overall water deficit was 50% higher than average, causing slight water stress on the plants, though it was mitigated by the presence of tuff, which can retain and gradually release water. Despite the early harvest, starting a week earlier than usual, 2021 is still considered a vintage of excellent quality, maintaining both fullness and freshness.
The 2020 and 2021 vintages (Link) were both marked by high temperatures, during a period when the evidence of climate change began to assert itself forcefully. “The 2021 vintage was one of the hottest in the last 60 years. A very rainy January allowed the plants to avoid significant stress, but April saw a very sudden frost—called a ‚black frost’—which partially affected both the valley floors and the higher parts of the hills, causing the loss of 10% of the first buds,” says Scaiola. The summer was particularly hot, especially in July and August, but the cool nights helped maintain a good balance during the vegetative and productive phases. Despite the water reserves accumulated during the spring rains, the overall water deficit was 50% higher than average, causing slight water stress on the plants, though it was mitigated by the presence of tuff, which can retain and gradually release water. Despite the early harvest, starting a week earlier than usual, 2021 is still considered a vintage of excellent quality, maintaining both fullness and freshness.
The grapes for Nizza Bricco Manera come from vineyards with southeast exposure, with deep tuff soil that allows the roots to develop more easily, resulting in a wine that is more accessible and immediate. The harvest is done manually in the second half of September. The winemaking involves a two-week maceration at controlled temperature (20-25°C), followed by at least six months of aging in French oak tonneaux, for a total of 18 months before release. In the glass, it presents a ruby red color with violet hues. The nose is characterized by fresh aromas of cherry, vanilla, and sweet spices, while the palate stands out for its creaminess and perfect balance between structure and drinkability.
Nizza Bricco Manera 2021, with a production of about 13,000 bottles, will be available starting in spring 2025.
Nizza Riserva Mora di Sassi 2020
The 2020 vintage (Link) was defined by abundant winter snowfall, which replenished water reserves and contributed to the wines’ natural balance and softness. A mild, rainy winter was followed by a spring with moderate precipitation, mostly concentrated in May. Summer was hot but not excessively dry, and as September arrived, temperatures gradually cooled, marking the transition to an ideal autumn. Bright days and crisp afternoons created the perfect diurnal range for aromatic development.
Harvest conditions were exceptional, thanks to the favorable climate and the outstanding quality of the grapes, which arrived at the winery with perfect sugar-acid balance. The water reserves from winter snowfall allowed the wines to retain Barbera’s signature freshness without the need for extended aging. As a result, the 2020 vintage offers wines that are both structured and refined, yet immediately approachable and full of character.
The Mora di Sassi vineyard is located in Nizza Monferrato, one of the most prized areas within the denomination. Facing southwest at an altitude of 150 to 350 meters above sea level, it is distinguished by its sandy-textured soil with coarse marine deposits and a high concentration of surface tuff. This compact soil structure makes it difficult for roots to penetrate, naturally stressing the vines and leading to greater concentration in the fruit.
Ideally suited for the production of Nizza Riserva, this vineyard demands meticulous care, including rigorous yield reduction, to ensure the highest quality grapes.
The winemaking involves a maceration that can last up to four weeks, with part of it carried out directly in tonneaux, followed by aging for 12 months in French oak barriques. After two years of bottle aging, for a total of at least 30 months from the harvest, Nizza Riserva Mora di Sassi 2020 will be available on the market in autumn, with a limited release of only 3,000 bottles.
In the glass, the wine stands out for its deeper color, with purple hues. The nose expresses a wide aromatic spectrum, with spices, cocoa, and dark fruit, while the palate is juicy and persistent, characterized by notes of plum, a strong structure, and long persistence.
