Douja d’Or, Festival delle Sagre, and Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival: the autumn highlights
The Consorzio Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato presents a calendar of events that will make Asti the center of a series of celebrations for Asti and Piedmontese wine for ten days. In September, the spotlight turns to the Douja d’Or (September 12-21), where the Consortium will be a key player in Piazza San Secondo, in a space managed in synergy with the Langhe Monferrato Roero Tourism Board. Tastings, meetings, and in-depth sessions will bring the public closer to the winemaking soul of Monferrato.
“The Consortium’s participation in the Douja d’Or confirms our constant commitment to promoting and enhancing the protected denominations, which are the authentic expression of a territory extraordinarily suited to viticulture,” says President Vitaliano Maccario. “The Douja is a festival open to everyone, capable of involving enthusiasts, families, young people, and professionals in a shared experience of culture, taste, and conviviality, strengthening the international visibility of Monferrato’s excellence.”
DOUJA D’OR EVENTS
Within the Douja d’Or, the Consortium will offer several significant events. On Wednesday, September 17, it will be the turn of “Barbera and Monfrà: Flavors of Piedmont,” in collaboration with Coldiretti Asti. The star will be the Monfrà, the Piedmontese sandwich created in 2015 to promote local products and the territory, which has become a symbol of local conviviality over the years. For the occasion, chef Domenico Sorrentino will create a special version dedicated to the Douja d’Or, served paired with a glass of Barbera d’Asti DOCG.
On Friday, September 19, the “Cocktail in red” event will see Nicola Mancinone guide the audience through the discovery of Barbera’s surprising mixology variations. Furthermore, a brand-new proposal based on Grignolino will also be presented.
On Sunday, September 21, the rich program will continue from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM with a talk titled “Piedmontese Cattle: origins, sustainability, and taste” organized by Coldiretti. At the end, it will be possible to taste dishes based on this Italian excellence paired with the Consortium’s wines. A synergy of flavors that symbolizes the Asti and Piedmontese territory.
The prestigious headquarters of the Asti Chamber of Commerce in Piazza Medici will host two masterclasses dedicated to the Barbera grape variety, led by expert Costantino Gabardi, who will explore its characteristics, versatility, and evolution. The two sessions will conclude with a tasting of Roccaverano DOP cheese, in a pairing that will take guests on a journey through the aromas, flavors, and atmospheres of the region.
In addition to these events, a tasting counter featuring labels from member producers will be present throughout the event, offering the public a complete journey through the denominations protected by the Consortium.
THE FESTIVAL DELLE SAGRE
September will also be characterized by the Festival delle Sagre (September 13-14), a highly anticipated event that brings thousands of visitors to Asti every year, attracted by the great parade and the opportunity to taste wines from the Consortium and its member wineries. For the occasion, the Consortium will be present with a station in the center of Piazza del Campo del Palio, the beating heart of the event, where the public can discover and appreciate the various protected denominations through a dedicated tasting counter.
Autumn will continue with the Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival, scheduled for November (November 9-10), when the colors of the hills, the autumnal atmosphere, and the scent of truffles will create the ideal setting to celebrate Barbera and Monferrato wines. Douja d’Or, Festival delle Sagre, and Barbera d’Asti Wine Festival are three distinct yet continuous moments, capable of transforming wine into an experience, a celebration, and an opportunity to meet, strengthening the dynamic and welcoming image of Monferrato.
