The Brachetto d’Acqui is tapping into several trends that are redefining contemporary wine consumption: lower alcohol levels, an immediate aromatic profile, versatility in pairings and a natural inclination toward conviviality. These are the pillars on which the Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Acqui is building its summer 2026 strategy, bringing Brachetto d’Acqui Docg and Acqui Rosé into the symbolic spaces of the new Mediterranean hospitality scene and turning them into the protagonists of a season shaped by aperitivo culture, mixology and gastronomic experiences. From Liguria to Sicily, passing through Calabria and Puglia and reaching the Côte d’Azur, the Piedmontese denomination chooses to present itself outside traditional consumption contexts, entering beach clubs, boutique hotels, sea‑view terraces and coastal restaurants. It’s a strategy designed to highlight the most contemporary side of a wine historically linked to conviviality, now finding renewed relevance in a market increasingly oriented toward lighter, more informal drinking occasions.
Brachetto d’Acqui meets the new aesthetic of the Italian summer
The Consortium’s project fits perfectly into the imagery that continues to define one of the most recognisable expressions of the Italian lifestyle: sunsets over the sea, open‑air aperitivi, the spontaneous social energy of summer evenings.
In this setting, Brachetto d’Acqui finds a natural home thanks to its aromatic intensity, freshness and moderate alcohol content. These traits make it ideal for the new rituals of easy drinking and mindful consumption, increasingly sought after by a young, international and quality‑driven audience.
The Consortium’s strategy goes beyond simply being present in iconic summer locations. It aims to consolidate a new perception of the denomination, one capable of engaging with the world of contemporary hospitality without losing its territorial identity.
The Bracky Tonic brings Brachetto d’Acqui into the world of mixology
One of the clearest signs of this evolution is the denomination’s entry into the mixology scene.
For summer 2026, the Consortium is focusing on the Bracky Tonic, a cocktail designed to interpret the new rituals of Mediterranean sunset drinking. The recipe combines Brachetto d’Acqui Docg spumante, local gin, tonic water and a final touch of pink grapefruit or fresh mint, creating a drink that is immediate, refreshing and perfectly aligned with beach aperitifs and seaside summer nights.
Exploring the language of mixology is not a break from tradition, but rather an extension of the expressive potential of a wine whose aromatic component has always been one of its defining features.
A denomination looking to younger consumers without losing its identity
Behind this strategy lies a clear intention to reach new consumers and new consumption moments.
“Brachetto d’Acqui has everything it takes to connect with a young and international audience, without ever losing its identity and qualitative positioning,” says Paolo Ricagno, president of the Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Acqui. “We have designed a strategic summer calendar that allows us to bring the product directly into the places of conviviality and vacation, while maintaining a strong and living connection with the world of fine dining.”
From fine dining to sommellerie: Brachetto d’Acqui conquers contemporary dining
Alongside aperitivo and mixology initiatives, the Consortium continues to invest in dialogue with the world of high‑end dining.
In recent months, the territory welcomed a delegation of sommeliers from some of the most prestigious names in contemporary Italian gastronomy, including Enrico Bartolini at MUDEC in Milan, Il Pagliaccio in Rome, Campo del Drago at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Da Vittorio in Brusaporto, Agriturismo La Torricella in Monforte d’Alba and Il Centro in Priocca.
The initiative allowed professionals to explore the identity of the grape and the denomination directly in its homeland, highlighting its gastronomic potential. Feedback from the tastings confirmed the growing versatility of Brachetto, capable of pairing with complex dishes and unconventional combinations.
Particularly appreciated was its ability to accompany dishes such as beetroot risotto with gorgonzola sauce or preparations based on marinated fish, demonstrating how the wine can go far beyond the pairings traditionally associated with its image.
International training and the next generation of hospitality professionals
Summer 2026 also marks an important moment for the denomination’s educational activities.
In the coming months, students from IFSE – Italian Food Style Education, an international academy of haute cuisine and pastry based in Piobesi Torinese, will take centre stage. Young talents from Italy, the Philippines, Australia, Mexico, China and Indonesia will have the opportunity to discover the territory and culture of Brachetto d’Acqui firsthand.
It’s an investment in the future, aimed at creating new opportunities for awareness among those who will shape the next generation of global hospitality and dining.
Denmark confirms its strategic role
The Consortium’s work continues abroad as well. Among foreign markets, Denmark remains one of the most promising European areas for the denomination’s growth. The summer season, marked by high strawberry consumption, creates a particularly effective pairing with Brachetto d’Acqui, strengthening its appeal among local consumers.
Through targeted promotional and relational activities, the Consortium will continue to cultivate the Danish market with the goal of consolidating the Docg’s visibility and recognition.
From Monferrato to the Mediterranean coast: Brachetto d’Acqui’s summer identity
Behind the wine’s new summer image lies its deep connection to its homeland. The wines of Acqui are born in the heart of Monferrato, a landscape recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, where sand, silt and clay shape one of the most distinctive expressions of Piedmontese viticulture.
This blend of deep roots and contemporary language is what defines the Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Acqui’s summer 2026 vision. A path that takes Brachetto d’Acqui beyond stereotypes and places it at the centre of a new drinking culture built on lightness, conviviality and authenticity, without ever losing touch with the territory where it all begins.
