Grignolino: il Nobile Ribelle
A weekend devoted to Grignolino — the pale, tannic, contrary red that Monferrato loves and outsiders underrate — with a hundred-plus producers pouring at Grazzano Badoglio.
Why it's special
Grignolino rarely gets its own stage; here it gets a whole one. Over 140 labels from more than 100 producers, poured by AIS sommeliers, plus masterclasses and vineyard walks. If you've written the grape off as thin, this is where you're told, politely, that you're wrong.
Programme · 2026
Fifth edition. Tasting stations with over 100 producers offering 140+ labels of Grignolino, guided by sommeliers, plus masterclasses, food-and-wine pairing workshops, vineyard walks and regional gastronomy. Organised by AIS Piemonte (Italian Sommelier Association) with its Asti and Casale Monferrato delegations free entry, €15 tasting contribution.
- Tastings are free to enter but the wine bench asks a €15 contribution.
- It's up in Grazzano Badoglio, high in the Basso Monferrato, so build in time to walk out to a Big Bench and take the view.
- Programme and details at aispiemonte.it.
Grignolino is the grape locals argue about most and outsiders order least — pale as a rosé, sharp with tannin, never trying to please. Monferrato has grown it for centuries and has never quite managed to sell it. Once a year Grazzano Badoglio makes the case in full: a weekend where Grignolino, and only Grignolino, holds the floor.
The sommeliers of AIS Piemonte pour more than 140 labels from over a hundred producers, so you can taste the same stubborn grape done a dozen ways across the two provinces that grow it. There are masterclasses if you want the theory, and walks out into the vineyards if you'd rather just look at where it comes from.
Entry's free; the tasting bench asks a small contribution. Check the year's programme at aispiemonte.it — dates above.