The Monferrato vine growing area is subdivided into two geographically distinct areas. The Villafranca d'Asti valley, the Borbore stream and the lower part of the Tanaro valley divide the northern Lower Monferrato from the Upper Monferrato
. Upper Monferrato, differing from the usual geographical use of the terms "upper" and "lower," is the southern part, and has lower altitudes (average of 350 meters) in comparison to the hills of Asti. The slopes are steeper and the valleys less marked. The names Acqui, Ovada and Gavi are the provincial capitals of winemaking. There is considerable production of Barbera del Monferrato and Moscato d'Asti, and two brands of the esteemed white Cortese wine: Alto Monferrato and di Gavi. Also noteworthy are the richly flavoured Dolcetto di Acqui and di Ovada, and the lesser known (mostly due to modest production) but appreciated and prized by connoisseurs, Brachetto d'Acqui dessert wine.
Lower Monferrato
is made up of a system of hills with elevations reaching 700 meters, and is the area with the highest density of grape vines. Asti, the provincial capital, has been the centre for wines of high interest for hundreds of years. These wines include Moscato (introduced several centuries ago), Barbera (already well known in the 1700s), Freisa (known throughout the region but less popular over time), black Malvasia, and Grignolino (considered one of the most refined wines of Monferrato).
