Gabiano

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Gabiano-Stemma.png official_name = Gabiano
region = Piedmont
province = Alessandria (AL)
elevation_m = 300
area_total_km2 = 17
population_as_of = 2004-12-31
population_total = 1245
population_density_km2 = 73.2
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|45|9|N|08|12|E
frazioni = Piagera, Sessana
telephone = 0142
postalcode = 15020
gentilic = gabianesi
saint = Saint Peter
day = 7 April
mayor = Mario Tribocco
website =

Gabiano (Gabian in Piedmontese) is a rural commune in the north-west of the province of Alessandria, some 25 km west of Casale Monferrato. Its current population of some 1,250 has halved since mid 1930s. In addition to the village of Gabiano, the commune includes the localities of Piagera, Sessana, Cantavenna and Varengo. This area straddles the lowland immediately south of the Po and the furthest extension of the Monferrato hills.

The village of Gabiano lies on the southern slopes of a hill dominated by a castle of ancient origins, which was reconstructed in the early twentieth century in the Neo-Gothic style. At the foot of the hill—the original site of the village—is a parish church dedicated to Saint Peter. Although rebuilt in 1690, it retains the twin bell towers from the original medieval building.

Cantavenna, largely rebuilt after the Second World War, has two works of interest by the sculptor Giannino Castiglioni: a bas relief celebrating the “Peasant Defender of Liberty” and the “Fountain of the Emigrants”, which was commissioned by the Italians of Chicago.In the nineteenth century the parish church of San Carpoforo was erected here on the spot where the Jacobins had planted their tree of liberty.

Wine

Two DOC wines with very limited zones of production are produced in the commune. Gabiano is made here and in the neighbouring commune of Moncestino, using the Barbera grape together with 5%–10% of Freisa and/or Grignolino. Rubino di Cantavenna is made in Gabiano, Montecestino, Villamiroglio and part of Camino (AL). Again the predominant grape is Barbera (75%–90%) with Freisa and/or Grignolino making up the remainder.

References and further reading

* [http://www.piemondo.it/monferrato/paesi/gabiano.htm Gabiano at www.piemondo.it] it
* [http://www.ilmonferrato.info/cs/gabian/gabian1.htm A history of Gabiano] it by the local historian Luigi Calvo from the site www.ilmonferrato.info.
* [http://www.regione.piemonte.it/agri/ita/piemontedoc/vino/vini/gabiano.htm Gabiano DOC] it ( [http://www.regione.piemonte.it/agri/ita/piemontedoc/vino/vini/cartine/gabiano.htm map of zone of production] ) at the official site of the Piedmont Region.
* [http://www.regione.piemonte.it/agri/ita/piemontedoc/vino/vini/rubino.htm Rubino di Cantavenna DOC] it ( [http://www.regione.piemonte.it/agri/ita/piemontedoc/vino/vini/cartine/rubino.htm map of zone of production] ) at the official site of the Piedmont Region.