Tinca Gobba Dorata del Pianalto di Poirino

Tinca Gobba Dorata del Pianalto di Poirino is a PDO covering fresh, unprocessed specimens of Tinca tinca farmed, born, and developed in a defined area of the Pianalto di Poirino plateau in Piedmont. The designation is distinguished by the fish's yellow-gold colouring, curved back, and flesh free of the muddy or grassy aroma typically associated with tench from other areas.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-IT-0357, with EU protection granted on 9 June 2007, Tinca Gobba Dorata del Pianalto di Poirino covers fresh, unprocessed specimens of Tinca tinca that must be farmed, born, and developed within a precisely delimited production area. That area includes all land in the municipalities of Poirino (TO), Isolabella (TO), Cellarengo (AT), Pralormo (TO), and Ceresole d'Alba (CN), together with parts of a further list of named municipalities across the provinces of Torino, Asti, and Cuneo. The specification requires ponds to be constructed of clay from the Pianalto; artificial total sealing and materials other than Pianalto clay are prohibited for new ponds. A grass buffer zone of at least five metres wide must be maintained around each pond perimeter, and herbicides may not be used within it. Feed supplements used during the fattening stage must not be derived from meat meal or from genetically modified organisms, and protein content may not exceed 45% by weight. All processing operations must be carried out within the defined geographical area. The inspection body is CERTIQUALITY, based in Milano. Each product must be sold in single-use containers or bags bearing the name Tinca Gobba Dorata del Pianalto di Poirino, an image of a female tench with the head turned to the left, and the wording Denominazione d'Origine Protetta — D.O.P.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 9 June 2007 under file number PDO-IT-0357 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013716).
• New ponds must be made exclusively with clay from the Pianalto; artificial total sealing and any other material are prohibited by the specification.
• Feed supplements must contain no meat meal, no genetically modified organisms, and protein content must not exceed 45% by weight.
• Documentary evidence of tench farming and trading in the Pianalto di Poirino area dates to the 13th century, with records of professional fishermen in Poirino attested from 1775.

Tasting notes

Piedmontese golden tench (Tinca tinca) from Poirino plateau pond aquaculture, traditional centuries-old practice. Distinctive golden-bronze skin, white firm flesh, delicate sweet flavor with characteristic earthy-pond notes.

HoReCa use

According to the source document, the product is generally consumed in the area in hotels and local restaurants, which account for almost all production.

Packaging

• whole-fresh-200-500g
• whole-fresh-bulk-3kg

Seasonality