THE CRADLE OF THE
``QUIET MADNESS``
Braida is located in Rocchetta Tanaro and Rocchetta is more than just a village; it is the centre of the world for those who were born there.
Those who know it and live are fully aware that it is the cradle of “quiet madness“.
The village doctor, singer-songwriter Paolo Frola, says: “My village is not a surprise, it is ten vineyards, six houses, one church.” These verses were written together with Gianni Mura at Trattoria I Bologna, drinking the Barbera of Rocchetta, and of the ten vineyards sung about by Frola some belong to Braida. They were owned by grandfather Giuseppe, who left them to Giacomo Bologna, and now they are cultivated by Giuseppe and his team.
Rocchetta Tanaro is a village in the Basso Monferrato area, with about 1200 inhabitants. It is located in Piedmont, in the heart of Barbera territory, and not just from a geographical point of view. Here the climate and vegetation form a bridge between the Langhe region and the hills of Turin, with Alpine influences. Rocchetta Tanaro is part of the Strada del Vino Astesana (Astesana Wine Trail) which extends over a small hilly area between the right bank of the Tanaro and the Apennine mountain chain. Vines are grown here, at an altitude of 250-450 metres above sea level. The continental climate is characterised by hot summers, moderately warm temperatures in spring and autumn, and cold winters. Temperatures range from -10 to 35 degrees.
The exposure of the vineyards plays a decisive role in the quality of the grapes. A hill which, due to its slope and sunny position, is particularly suitable for the cultivation of generous vines, is called “bricco” in Asti dialect: hence the names “Bricco dell’Uccellone” and “Bricco della Bigotta”.
The main variety in this area is the red Barbera grape, which spent a very long time in the shadow of the famous Nebbiolo, the grape used to make Barolo and Barbaresco. Now Barbera has earned itself a great reputation, with the production of excellent quality Barbera wines, characterised by impressively strong structure and evident aromas.
In lean sandy soils, like those found only in the hilly areas around Asti, Barbera grapes produce particularly soft and harmonious wines.
In addition to the historic Braida cellars, Rocchetta Tanaro is also home to the ruins of the walls and part of the ancient castle of the Incisa della Rocchetta family, along with the numerous churches.
The parish church, built in 1700 on the site of a pre-existing medieval chapel in what is now Piazza Italia; the church of Santa Caterina della Confraternita dei Battuti, with its cross vaults typical of the Cistercian system; the little chapel of the Ciappellette, an explosion of Romanesque architecture.
The parish church, built in 1700 on the site of a pre-existing medieval chapel in what is now Piazza Italia; the church of Santa Caterina della Confraternita dei Battuti, with its cross vaults typical of the Cistercian system; the little chapel of the Ciappellette, an explosion of Romanesque architecture.
Rocchetta Natural Park, in the hamlet of Sant’Emiliano, is well worth a visit. It was the first protected area in the province of Asti. It was established by Piedmont Region in 1980 thanks to intervention by Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, one of the founders of the WWF. The park covers an area of 123 hectares and is open to visitors, with signposted paths, a path for the blind, a cycle path that starts from the municipal road of Mombercelli and winds through the centre of the protected area. There is a shorter path called the “sentiero – natura” (nature trail) where you can find the Canà spring, a source of ferruginous water. There is also an equestrian trail that runs along a short stretch of the Tanaro, Rabengo and Rosinaggio rivers. Several activities are monitored by the “Casa del Parco”, a multifunctional structure characterised by an educational centre.
Nearby towns such as Asti (with its medieval Palio, a horse race held on the third Sunday of September), Acqui Terme (named after its Roman baths), Nizza Monferrato (known for its barrel race), Alessandria (the Citadel), Alba (International White Truffle Fair), the regional capital Turin (with the Egyptian Museum, the Mole Antonelliana and its shopping streets), the Reggia di Venaria and many other interesting places, are easily reached by car.
Braida is located in Rocchetta Tanaro and Rocchetta is more than just a village; it is the centre of the world for those who were born there.
Those who know it and live are fully aware that it is the cradle of “quiet madness“.
The village doctor, singer-songwriter Paolo Frola, says: “My village is not a surprise, it is ten vineyards, six houses, one church.” These verses were written together with Gianni Mura at Trattoria I Bologna, drinking the Barbera of Rocchetta, and of the ten vineyards sung about by Frola some belong to Braida. They were owned by grandfather Giuseppe, who left them to Giacomo Bologna, and now they are cultivated by Giuseppe and his team.
Rocchetta Tanaro is a village in the Basso Monferrato area, with about 1200 inhabitants. It is located in Piedmont, in the heart of Barbera territory, and not just from a geographical point of view. Here the climate and vegetation form a bridge between the Langhe region and the hills of Turin, with Alpine influences. Rocchetta Tanaro is part of the Strada del Vino Astesana (Astesana Wine Trail) which extends over a small hilly area between the right bank of the Tanaro and the Apennine mountain chain. Vines are grown here, at an altitude of 250-450 metres above sea level. The continental climate is characterised by hot summers, moderately warm temperatures in spring and autumn, and cold winters. Temperatures range from -10 to 35 degrees.
The exposure of the vineyards plays a decisive role in the quality of the grapes. A hill which, due to its slope and sunny position, is particularly suitable for the cultivation of generous vines, is called “bricco” in Asti dialect: hence the names “Bricco dell’Uccellone” and “Bricco della Bigotta”.
The main variety in this area is the red Barbera grape, which spent a very long time in the shadow of the famous Nebbiolo, the grape used to make Barolo and Barbaresco. Now Barbera has earned itself a great reputation, with the production of excellent quality Barbera wines, characterised by impressively strong structure and evident aromas.
In lean sandy soils, like those found only in the hilly areas around Asti, Barbera grapes produce particularly soft and harmonious wines.
In addition to the historic Braida cellars, Rocchetta Tanaro is also home to the ruins of the walls and part of the ancient castle of the Incisa della Rocchetta family, along with the numerous churches.
The parish church, built in 1700 on the site of a pre-existing medieval chapel in what is now Piazza Italia; the church of Santa Caterina della Confraternita dei Battuti, with its cross vaults typical of the Cistercian system; the little chapel of the Ciappellette, an explosion of Romanesque architecture.
The parish church, built in 1700 on the site of a pre-existing medieval chapel in what is now Piazza Italia; the church of Santa Caterina della Confraternita dei Battuti, with its cross vaults typical of the Cistercian system; the little chapel of the Ciappellette, an explosion of Romanesque architecture.
Rocchetta Natural Park, in the hamlet of Sant’Emiliano, is well worth a visit. It was the first protected area in the province of Asti. It was established by Piedmont Region in 1980 thanks to intervention by Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, one of the founders of the WWF. The park covers an area of 123 hectares and is open to visitors, with signposted paths, a path for the blind, a cycle path that starts from the municipal road of Mombercelli and winds through the centre of the protected area. There is a shorter path called the “sentiero – natura” (nature trail) where you can find the Canà spring, a source of ferruginous water. There is also an equestrian trail that runs along a short stretch of the Tanaro, Rabengo and Rosinaggio rivers. Several activities are monitored by the “Casa del Parco”, a multifunctional structure characterised by an educational centre.
Nearby towns such as Asti (with its medieval Palio, a horse race held on the third Sunday of September), Acqui Terme (named after its Roman baths), Nizza Monferrato (known for its barrel race), Alessandria (the Citadel), Alba (International White Truffle Fair), the regional capital Turin (with the Egyptian Museum, the Mole Antonelliana and its shopping streets), the Reggia di Venaria and many other interesting places, are easily reached by car.
Those who visit Rocchetta Tanaro discover the story of a passionate family that has given birth to revolutionary ideas and wines such as Bricco del’Uccellone.