he first citation of Grignolino dates to the end of the 18th century but it is quite probable that it was already well known in previous periods, for it seems to have been used in making the "chiaretti " or light red wines that were widely diffused in Piedmont in the 16th century. Its original area has been identified as the district between Asti and Casale, which is still today the principal center of production. However, cultivation has expanded westward through the province of Alessandria toward Tortona.Many ampelographers assert that Grignolino Casalese was known under other names in ancient times, such as Barbesino, Balestra, Verbesino, Arlandino and Rossetto.
In some notarial documents, dated between 1246 and 1287 and preserved in the capitulary archives of the cathedral at Casale Monferrato, the canons appended clauses to contracts covering the rental of property they owned in which they strictly forbade tampering with plots planted in Barbesino. Nearly 400 years later, in the 17th century, it appears that Carlo Gonzaga of Spain expressed appreciation for Barbesino wine.
Sales and shipments of the wine expanded extensively, primarily because of the activities of rich bankers in Asti, and the name Grignolino eventually prevailed over all the others.
Numerous hypotheses have been advanced to explain the etymology of the name Grignolino. Some experts say the name is derived from "grignole," a word in the local dialect that refers to the large number of seeds of the variety's grapes. Other say the name was derived from the verb "grignare," which means "to laugh'' in the dialect of Asti.
With the passage of time and the accumulation of experience and with the improvement of vinification techniques, Grignolino has come to occupy an important place in total Piedmontese wine production. It was therefore accorded Denominazione di Origine Controllata recognition in 1974.
