Grignolino - TABLE XXI Synonyms , , , Province of Alessandria, in the Tortona area where it is cultivated. In the Asti area, Grignolino rivals Barbera in maintaining the high reputation of the wine production of that zone intensely devoted to vineyards and satisfies, like it, the numerous group of the most demanding consumers divided into two well-separated camps: to it those who favor full-bodied, colored wines both for bottle and for meals; to Grignolino those who prefer more gentle, smooth, light and almost sparkling wines but with equal alcoholic value and conservation merit if well made. It especially occupies the territories flanking the Tanaro in the stretch that runs from Asti towards the Alessandria countryside but is also widespread in the Casale area, somewhat throughout the Province as it is also cultivated in the Tortona area and known also in the Province of Turin and others. However, the cultivation of Grignolino is not increasing because cold years in spring and therefore unfavorable to the complete evolution of grape vegetation necessary to achieve perfect ripeness, which have alternated for several years now, invite winemakers to restrict rather than increase the cultivation of late-ripening grapes like this. Some have observed that in the Asti area grape seeds are called and that the name Grignolino came to this grape, certainly indigenous to the Asti area, from the abundant number of or grape seeds that are sometimes found in its berries. Barbesino Verbesino Nebbiolo rosato Balestrà grignole grignole