📜 Carema

Carema is an Italian protected designation of origin (DOC, PDO) for red wine from the commune of Carema in the province of Turin, Piedmont. It has been in the EU register since 18 September 1973.

The specification covers Carema and Carema Riserva. The wine is ruby red tending to garnet, with a fine, characteristic scent recalling macerated rose and a soft, velvety, full-bodied taste. The minimum total alcoholic strength is 12.00% vol and the minimum sugar-free extract is 20.0 g/l.

The only principal variety is Nebbiolo. The specification mentions the local Nebbiolo varieties Picultener and Prugnet. Maximum yield is 8,000 kg of grapes per hectare for both Carema and Carema Riserva.

The production zone is the whole territory of the commune of Carema. The traditional terms recognised are Denominazione di origine controllata (D.O.C.) and Riserva.

The specification describes vines grown on pergolas whose supporting crossbeams are made entirely of chestnut, with the shoots tied to them to withstand the strong winds of the valley. It also describes terraced vineyards with dry-stone walls and stone pillars called topiun, which capture the sun's rays and which it presents as an architectural feature handed down within winegrowing families.